Note: The views and opinions expressed in blog/editorial posts are those of the author. They do not reflect the views or opinions of Misbar.
A few weeks ago, many people empathized with the tragedy of Moroccan child Rayan in the international, regional, and local media. On Tuesday, Feb. 15, a 5-year-old boy named Haider was trapped in a narrow and deep well in Zabul province, southeastern Afghanistan. Haider’s death was confirmed by local authorities on Feb. 17, 2022, despite a large rescue mission and extensive media attention after images and videos circulated of him.
The Afghan authorities have closely monitored the Haidar rescue operation. A huge number of top Afghan government officials have gathered at the incident site to await the rescue effort. Defense minister Muhammad Yaqoob, interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, and deputy minister of public health Ferozuddin Feroz are among them.
Several such accidents occurred across the MENA region not long ago involving children who were trapped and died in wells. Haitham Massoud Haidar, a Libyan child, died on Feb. 6, 2022, after falling into a well in the eastern region of Libya.
On March 17, 2021, Hassan Khader Al-Zaalan, a Syrian child, fell into an artesian well and died before the rescue operation could be completed in the town of Kafr Ruhin, north of Idlib.
These repeated incidents can be reduced by covering wells and constructing doors with locks around well entrances to prevent children from falling into them. Keeping children as far away from risky areas as possible is perhaps the most essential method to reduce such occurrences.
Social media users have been widely circulating such incidents because people all over the world tend to sympathize with these tragic incidents. However, some users deliberately or unconsciously circulate misleading rumors in order to gain views or attract new audiences. The rapid spread of fake news and disinformation online can have profound consequences, such as distrust in media or social media users. Spreading misinformation could also cause emotional distress to the people concerned. Many social media users and unreliable sources circulated misleading photos and videos about saving the Moroccan child, Rayan, or about the Afghani child, Haider. In one way or another, these photos and videos can have a negative impact on the bereaved families, who are already suffering unimaginable pain while mourning for their children.
Misbar's Sources:
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
RT Arabic
Alarabiya
BBC News
Independent
Orient TV
