IN light of the recent looting in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, the RECORD asked residents if they believe social media contributes to the panic surrounding the looting.
GERRIE MULDER: “I think it makes things worse by causing unnecessary panic. Videos on Facebook are posted and are unconfirmed as actually happening.”
LESOGO SEOKA: “It is being used to spread rumours and you never know where the messages come from.”
NZIMANDE LERATO: “It is being used to terrify. Foreigners use it to threaten locals and locals use it to threaten foreigners. People use it to further their own agendas.”
LARRY VARRIE: “I think the messages (from social media) are necessary as they warn people about what might be coming so we may not go there. I do, however, think that this gives the looters unnecessary publicity.”
