Houyam Star Arrested After Social Media Backlash

Rabat — Aicha Sraidi – known as Houyam Star – has been arrested in Casablanca following orders from the procurator of the King.

The Moroccan social media personality has recently gone rogue in the last couple of months. Houyam shared clips online in which she was visibly drunk and yelling at her children. In another controversial video, she insinuated to have left Islam, genuflecting with the Christian sign of the cross.

These actions angered many viewers. Groups called the authorities to act in order to protect her children from harm.

Last Tuesday, police put her in custody after summoning her for questioning.

Morocco has seen a rise in legal cases against social media figures, as many chase fame at any cost in complete disregard to media law and ethics.

In a separate case, Youtuber Reda Bouzidi, better known as Ould Chinwiya, was sentenced to three years in prison. He was convicted of defamation and threats.

Hate speech, defamation, and indecent content are off-limits – so is sharing personal data without consent or spreading false information.

As Morocco tightens its grip on inappropriate online behaviour, these sentences serve as a deterrent.

The lesson is clear: Social media is a powerful tool, however, creators need to educate themselves on the code of conduct, ethical issues, and media law.

Overall, the court has been blunt and will clearly not budge to issue the toughest sentences on anyone who crosses the line and defames or injures someone else’s character.