Source: Yemen Times
In Morocco, articles published by the Arabic-language Al Massae daily have led to a strong division of the press. According to Said Essoulami, director of the Casablanca-based Centre for Media Freedom in the Middle East and North Africa, this controversy shows the difficulties of Moroccan media to cover sexual, cultural, political and ideological diversities.

It all started in November 2007, when Al Massae reported on a supposed gay marriage ceremony that according to the paper had taken place in the small Ksar el Kebir town in the north of Morocco. Images shot at this private party were first posted on YouTube and then publicised by Al Massae.

In an interview with Arab Press Network, Essoulami recounted the result of the paper's story: "In the days that followed the publication by Al Massae and two other papers, mobs of youths attacked the homes of several people, including that of the person who had supposedly organized the gay party.

"One person even had to take shelter at the police station. The rioters declared that they got their information from Al Massae. These events are very serious. Certain papers revert to hate speech and encourage violence in order to sell more. They don't care about the consequences of the materials they publish. They think they're doing a big favour to society by protecting its values from any deviants."

The media attention also led to a court case and jail sentences against the people present at the supposed marriage.

The party organiser was charged for `sexual perversion' and the `illegal sale of alcohol' on 10 December 2007 and sentenced to ten months in jail. The announcement of the a verdict fanned the flame in the war of interposed editorials waged by the French-language papers TelQuel and Le Journal Hebdomadaire against Al Massae.

In the latest twist in the saga, Rachid Nini, director of Al Massae, was ordered to appear before the court on 22 February on charges of slander by order of the prosecutor's office in Ksar El Kebir.

Essoulami said that the incident points to a deeply-rooted problem with journalism in the country.

"It acutely addresses the problem of how the media cover sexual, cultural, political and ideological diversities in our country," he explained. "Journalists unconsciously use stereotypes and clich�s to describe the life of those living with AIDS, African refugees, prostitutes, beggars and the homeless."

The press critic said that too many stories in the press treat minorities as "deviants or dangers to society." He explained, "This representation manipulates a certain audience which is ready to externalize their frustrations through hatred, racism and violence."

But Essoulami said there are also significant differences among the various newspapers in Morocco. A conflict arose between a number of Moroccan newspapers, with some of them condemning the role played by Al Massae, and others supporting them. 

He called the editorial battle waged in French on the pages of TelQuel  and and in Arabic in Al Massae as "typical" of the differing values of the papers. "Each of them represents a political and ideological standpoint in the country," he explained. "In broad terms, Al Massae defends the traditional values close to the Islamic standpoint and TelQuel the modern values close to the liberal left wing."

Essoulami's organization, CMF MENA, will attempt change the media landscape with a a campaign on the media and diversity. The project will be launched in cooperation with a dozen Moroccan publications, he said.

"Something has to be done now before things go any further," he warned. "Hate media can easily spring up to destabilize the country. The experiences in other countries serve as a warning to us."

Full article: Hate speech divides Moroccan press - Yemen Times

area_africa