Social media/Elections: The Interior Ministry tightens the screws

Abdelouafi Laftit wants to bring order to social media activity, particularly with regard to the spread of rumors and fake news related to the elections.

The draft organic law on the election of members of the House of Representatives, which is currently being examined by the Interior Committee, devotes a significant section to this issue. The changes made in the new version approved by the Council of Ministers, chaired by His Majesty the King, criminalize the dissemination of rumors or false information aimed at undermining the transparency of elections. These are punishable by imprisonment for a term of two to five years, accompanied by a fine ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 dirhams (USD 5,401 and 10,802), depending on “ the assessment of the competent judicial authority as to the seriousness of the criminal act committed ”, as noted by the minister. For the Ministry of the Interior, the main goal of these punitive measures is to stop people from using rumors or fake news to mislead the public, which could mess with the integrity of the election process and the legitimacy of the institutions that come out of it. This is in view of the enormous capabilities offered by artificial intelligence, for example, to produce, in a misleading or malicious manner, documents, images, or montages composed of fabricated and baseless statements or declarations. Given the speed at which this type of digital content spreads, it becomes impossible to correct or rectify the situation. An infringement on freedom of speech?
In response to criticism from politicians who considered that this provision targets freedom of expression, the minister explained that it concerns, for example, the use of modern technology to publish, disseminate, transmit, or spread rumors or false information with the aim of undermining the credibility and transparency of elections.
Please note that in making this statement, the Minister of the Interior wishes to avoid any misinterpretation. He emphasized that this is in no way a restriction on freedom of expression, nor a repression of freedoms, and even less so a silencing of voices. Of course, when the facts are proven, they are absolutely not affected by this sanction. It should be noted that the same bill provides for an identical penalty for defamation of candidates and voters and for invasion of their privacy through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by disseminating or distributing a montage composed of statements or images of a person without their consent.
Mohamed CHAOUI