Could the January 7 Charlie Hebdo attack have been a secret service operation, or perhaps an anti-Muslim plot? The wildest conspiracy theories found their way onto the Internet within hours of the Paris bloodbath.
Just as it did in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, the rumour machine moved into top gear from the very moment the first reports emerged.
Among the most frequently mentioned is the apparent change in colour of the rearview mirrors of a car used by the Kouachi brothers -- white on an image taken near the Charlie Hebdo office where they killed 12 people and black in a later image of the abandoned vehicle.
Experts put the change down to the fact that the mirrors were made out of chrome, a material that can change colour according to the light.
Other details providing rich material for the conspiracy theorists included the identity card mislaid by one of the Kouachi brothers and the telephone receiver not properly put back on its hook at the supermarket where gunman Amedy Coulibaly killed four people during a hostage siege two days later.
Even the route of the January 11 solidarity march through Paris has been given dubious significance in the minds of some, with claims that it mirrored the outline of Israel's borders.
Official theories too dull
Emmanuel Taieb, a professor at the Sciences-Po Lyon university in central-eastern France and a specialist in conspiracy plots, said that for many the official interpretation of events -- as provided by the police, politicians and analysts -- was simply too dull.
"It is considered poor, disappointing. So it is ruled out or questioned in favour of a more appealing, worrying analysis," he said.
Observers say that young people, for whom the Internet is their main source of information, are particularly vulnerable to believing everything they read online.
Mohamed Tria, 49, a business executive and president of the La Duchere football club in a tough area of Lyon, said the mainstream interpretation of the attacks was far from the norm in some places.
"I met around 40 kids aged between 13 and 15 in my club. I was astounded by what I heard," he said.
"They had not got their information from newspapers, but from social networks, it's the only accessible source for them and they believe what they read there as if it is the truth," he said.
Others said adults now have far less control over what young people opt to believe.
"For 30 years, 90 percent of what children learned came from either their parents or school. Now, it's the other way round. We need education about social networks," a teacher at a roundtable discussion in the northern Paris suburb of Sarcelles said last week.
For Guillaume Brossard, co-founder of the website hoaxbuster.com, a site that allows people to check the validity of information, it is as if the self-expression made possible by the Internet was custom-made for rebellious teenagers.
"Adolescence is a time when one needs to assert oneself and rebel against adults, the established order, society etc... Alternative theories are therefore a wonderful area of self-expression for them," he said.
"The explosion of social networks has seen what would once have been classroom discussions take place on Twitter, Snapchat or Instagram," he added.
Olivier Ertzscheid, a lecturer in information science in the western city of Nantes, noted that established media such as the daily Le Monde responded fairly quickly on social networks with counter-arguments knocking down the various conspiracy theories.
Speed was of the essence if a balanced picture was to emerge, he said.
AFP
Mon Jan 19 2015
![Internet fuels Charlie Hebdo conspiracy theories Internet fuels Charlie Hebdo conspiracy theories](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-01/61420958645_295x200.jpg)
Just as it did in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, the rumour machine moved into top gear from the very moment the first reports emerged.
AWANI 7:45 [16/07/2024] - Suspek dibawa ke lokasi | Selamat tinggal rakyat Malaysia | Harimau Malaya hilang taring?
- Polis sahkan suspek bunuh Kartini anggota polis.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
![E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721128633_MohdHidayatMohdSa.jpg)
E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi
Kerajaan juga harus wujudkan sebuah dasar yang jelas supaya kepentingan e-sukan ini mampu diperkembangkan ke masa hadapan.
![Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721122322_ZulkifliHasan.jpg)
Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism
Kerajaan sentiasa memandang serius terhadap penularan ideologi dan aliran pemikiran yang bercanggah dengan ajaran Islam seperti ideologi liberalism dan pluralism agama.
![Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710754100_MohdNazifuddinNaji.jpg)
Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM
Atlet di bawah projek Road To Gold (RTG) tidak mempunyai pilihan selain memenangi emas yang diidam-idamkan Malaysia pada Sukan Olimpik 2024 di Paris.
![KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/41693913999_RubiahWang.jpg)
KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan
Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Kedah (KEDA) memperuntukkan RM3.37 juta pada tahun ini bagi memastikan keterjaminan makanan negara.
![Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721021538_TBSHAMSUL.jpg)
Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia
Rang Undang-Undang Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia 2024 yang bertujuan menubuhkan MCBA diluluskan persidangan Dewan Rakyat, hari ini.
![PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024 PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710922383_MasErmieyatiSamsud.jpg)
PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024
Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) akan memulakan prosiding bagi empat isu yang dibangkitkan dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara (LKAN) Siri 2/2024.
AWANI Ringkas: Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini | Skandal LCS
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Chong Zhemin, tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
Masuk Pas untuk sama-sama susah dengan rakyat - ADUN Rembia
Muhamad Jailani berkata, sebelum ini beliau pernah menghantar surat kepada Lembaga Disiplin UMNO memohon untuk memecat keahliannya daripada parti Melayu itu.
![Kerajaan disaran kaji semula kontrak bekalan alat ketenteraan dari Perancis Kerajaan disaran kaji semula kontrak bekalan alat ketenteraan dari Perancis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2019-02/71549900493_Scorpene.jpg)
Kerajaan disaran kaji semula kontrak bekalan alat ketenteraan dari Perancis
Akhramsyah berpendapat tindakan itu dikhuatiri akan membahayakan negara jika rakan kongsi negara berkenaan terus mengamalkan sikap anti Islam.
![Pendirian Macron sukarkan proses perdamaian kaum, Islamofobia - Penganalisis Pendirian Macron sukarkan proses perdamaian kaum, Islamofobia - Penganalisis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/81603970152_knifeattack.jpg)
Pendirian Macron sukarkan proses perdamaian kaum, Islamofobia - Penganalisis
Pendekatan Presiden, Emmanuel Macron yang dilihat menekankan nilai permusuhan dan Islamofobia, menyukarkan lagi jalan perdamaian.
![Presiden Perancis Emmanuel Macron tidak bertamadun - Tun M Presiden Perancis Emmanuel Macron tidak bertamadun - Tun M](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/61603972189_sidangmedia.jpg)
Presiden Perancis Emmanuel Macron tidak bertamadun - Tun M
Dr Mahathir menegaskan, Perancis harus mendidik rakyatnya agar menghormati perasaan orang lain.
![Dua terbunuh dalam serangan di sebuah gereja di Nice, Perancis Dua terbunuh dalam serangan di sebuah gereja di Nice, Perancis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/81603970152_knifeattack.jpg)
Dua terbunuh dalam serangan di sebuah gereja di Nice, Perancis
Dua individu dilaporkan maut dalam satu kejadian serangan di sebuah gereja di bandaraya Nice, Perancis pada Khamis.
![Karikatur nabi: Jangan ambil tindakan luar batasan agama, undang-undang - Jakim Karikatur nabi: Jangan ambil tindakan luar batasan agama, undang-undang - Jakim](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/51603948105_AbdulAzizJusoh.jpg)
Karikatur nabi: Jangan ambil tindakan luar batasan agama, undang-undang - Jakim
Datuk Abdul Aziz Jusoh berkata ini kerana tindakan itu dibimbangi boleh mencetuskan suasana tidak harmoni antara penganut berbilang agama di negara ini.
![Macron tidak hormat kebebasan beragama, bersifat perkauman - NGO Macron tidak hormat kebebasan beragama, bersifat perkauman - NGO](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/81603941607_EmmanuelMacron.jpg)
Macron tidak hormat kebebasan beragama, bersifat perkauman - NGO
Menerusi satu kenyataan bersama, mereka menegaskan rakyat Malaysia perlu untuk bangkit bersama menunjukkan bantahan mengikut ruang lingkup undang-undang.
![Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya ucapan benci dan fitnah Islam Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya ucapan benci dan fitnah Islam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/41603836930_burnrepresentaFren.jpg)
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya ucapan benci dan fitnah Islam
Malaysia menjunjung hak kebebasan bersuara serta hak asasi manusia selagi mana ia digunakan secara bertanggungjawab dan penuh hormat, sekali gus tidak menafikan serta melanggar hak pihak lain.
![Hina Islam: Pas seru umat Islam boikot barangan buatan Perancis Hina Islam: Pas seru umat Islam boikot barangan buatan Perancis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/61603796352_HadiawangKonvensy.jpg)
Hina Islam: Pas seru umat Islam boikot barangan buatan Perancis
Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang menyeru umat Islam memboikot barangan buatan Perancis bagi menunjukkan solidariti terhadap Islam dan kemajmukan beragama dalam masyarakat.
![Isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad: Dr Zulkifli titip surat kepada duta Perancis Isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad: Dr Zulkifli titip surat kepada duta Perancis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-06/41591490908_ZulkifliMohamad.jpg)
Isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad: Dr Zulkifli titip surat kepada duta Perancis
Dr Zulkifli menulis surat khusus berhubung isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad SAW oleh Charlie Hebdo kepada Duta Perancis di Malaysia.
![Isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad: Umat Islam serata dunia protes Isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad: Umat Islam serata dunia protes](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/41603778380_PalestinProtes.jpg)
Isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad: Umat Islam serata dunia protes
Protes itu juga sebagai respons kepada tindakan Presiden Perancis Emmanuel Macron yang mempertahankan seorang guru yang mati dibunuh kerana membawa kartun itu ke dalam kelasnya.