The leader of social networks, Facebook, has become in a truly short time a phenomenon of unprecedented proportions. If you want to talk to as many people as possible, Facebook is the place to go. Worldwide, 2 billion 700 million users are active on the social network founded by Marc Zuckerbeg. YouTube comes second with just over 2 billion users. In Mauritius, Facebook reaches almost 70% of the population. The video platform is almost on par with WhatsApp, whose number of subscribers exploded during the lockdown.
The primary aim being to allow people to stay in touch with each other and exchange information, photos, and news of any kind, in short to interact, this social network has become a platform for some frustrated, some sick people of society to blow off steam. For others, it is a way to get attention and get noticed. Today, even with all the filtering means, Facebook becomes dangerous for those who abuse it.
Last Thursday, a certain Roubina Seetharamdoo said some insanities on her page. In a video posted on Thursday, July 1 on social networks, Roubina attacked people who live with a disability. Her provocative comments have caused general indignation amongst those who campaign for people with disabilities. This Internet user, who is known to the police, has seriously slipped. Her inappropriate, hurtful, and denigrating comments did not take long to create a buzz on the web, causing strong reactions from several NGOs, as well as from people living with disabilities. Our friend, Ali Jookun, who has been working in the social field for many years, also filed a complaint against an Internet user at the Valley Pitot police station and the Cyber Crime Office. He deplored the fact that this Internet user in question felt that there should be a law to prevent otherwise capable people from receiving financial support.
The Ministry of Social Integration, as well as various NGOs, have already alerted the police about the video that is circulating. According to a source close to the case, Minister Fazila Jeewa Daureeawoo is taking this case very seriously.
Roubina Seetharamdoo was arrested and placed in police custody on Friday 2 July. The St. Pierre resident appeared before the Moka Court where a provisional charge of “Breach of ICTA” was brought against her. Roubina is neither the first, nor the last, to go off the rails. Really, we need to find a way to control such acts that can inflame not only the web but also society.
