Media cautioned against publishing distress claims

By MUHAMMAD HUMAIDAN | ARAB NEWS

JEDDAH: The Ministry of Social Affairs has warned the media and charity organizations about people falsely claiming to be poor to gain sympathy and raise funds.

Ahmad Al-Ghamdi, head of the Social Development Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs in Makkah province, warned the media against publishing such stories without verifying the credibility of people who ask for help.

He added that the main task of the Ministry of Social Affairs is to help people in need, especially those who are poor and orphans. “A number of people have been found claiming they need help and were given help. After receiving help, they started begging saying they were still in need,” he said.

“We’ve found people with certificates that show they are able to work but they refuse to help themselves and want to make money the easy way,” he added.

He said advanced technology has helped the Ministry of Social Affairs detect these cases and those involved are punished.

“They are initially made to sign a letter promising not to repeat the offense. If they are caught again, they will be transferred to the appropriate authorities for punitive action,” he said.

Al-Ghamdi said it has also been found that some of these people are contacting newspapers to get their stories published and then giving journalists false information and wrong contact details.

“Sadly, there are newspapers that are publishing these stories without verifying their claims,” he added.

Comments
Post your comment

required

required (email will never be displayed)

Please enter the following characters in the box provided (case sensitive). This helps us prevent automated programs from creating accounts and sending spam.

All comments are subject to approval

Terms and conditions

Latest comments

New leader calls for unity government amid turmoil in Maldives

Democratic Form of Government is becoming a 'JOKE' and 'LAUGHING <br/>STOCK' for the people al

MUBARAK ALI PATEL at Feb 9, 2012 06:10

1 comments

Graft, politics, militant Islam shake Indian Ocean island paradise

Instead of people's Power, people in Democratic Country often see <br/>Authoritiative Power/Im

MUBARAK ALI PATEL at Feb 9, 2012 06:10

1 comments

Attack on Iran 'would be disaster,' must talk-Turkey

"DESTROYING" is the key word today; whether it is "COUNTRY" or <br/>"ECONOMY" is immeterial.

MUBARAK ALI PATEL at Feb 9, 2012 06:09

3 comments

When irrational fear takes over

Using computer programs to treat phobia is great. But if you have fear of heights (Acrophobia?)

Azad Miah, UK at Feb 9, 2012 04:42

1 comments