TikTok sleuths pose risk to Joshlin Smith investigation
The public is taking to TikTok to share their theories, but it’s causing more harm than good, sending the police on wild goose chases, warns digital law expert Emma Sadleir.
Missing 6-year-old Joshlin Smith / Facebook: Rosemarie Pluke
Lester Kiewit speaks with Emma Sadleir, founder of the Digital Law Company.
Listen to the interview in the audio below.
It's been two weeks since the disappearance of Saldanha Bay's Joshlin Smith (6), who was last seen on 19 February.
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There has been a proliferation of TikTok videos speculating on the case with fake, unverified information spreading virally.
Last week, a crowd threatened Joshlin's mother and boyfriend at their house, and the police had to evacuate them to a safe place.
And when investigators found bloodied clothes, which they then sent for testing, they had to shut down rumours on social media that a knife had been found.
There has never been a case in South Africa sparking as much ‘citizen journalism’ as this one, says Sadleir.
“It has led to an unbelievable amount of disinformation and sending police on wild goose chases.”
- Emma Sadleir, Founder - Digital Law Company
Sharing this information about the case is legally complicated and can lead to defamation cases.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.