Expulsion of French Journalists: Morocco’s Clampdown on Media Amidst Growing Tensions

BY: Hana Saada

Algiers, September 21, 2023 – In a concerning development that highlights the challenges faced by foreign journalists operating in Morocco, two French journalists were abruptly expelled from the country on September 20, 2023. Quentin Muller, deputy editor of Marianne magazine’s international service, and freelance photographer Therese De Campo were forcibly removed from Morocco while investigating King Mohammed VI and the country’ security apparatus. The incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism from international organizations and raised questions about the state of press freedom in the kingdom.

Chilling Atmosphere for Journalists

The ordeal began when Moroccan law enforcement agents, without providing any explanation, arrested Quentin Muller and Therese De Campo at their hotel in Casablanca. Subsequently, the two journalists were transported to Casablanca’s airport, where they spent several hours at the judicial police headquarters before being expelled by plane to Paris. Mr. Muller asserted that their arrest was “purely political,” a claim that has gained traction in the international media landscape.

Marianne magazine, where both journalists were employed, issued a statement expressing concern about the incident. They stated, “This military expulsion confirms how difficult it is for foreign and local journalists to work in Morocco,” adding that diplomatic relations between France and Morocco had complicated the situation.

Suppressing Unfavorable Truths

The Spanish newspaper Independiente attributed the expulsion to Morocco’s efforts to suppress unfavorable truths, particularly regarding the conditions in earthquake-affected areas. The earthquake disaster that struck the Marrakech region on September 8 exposed stark disparities between urban and rural areas in Morocco, with issues like healthcare, education, infrastructure, and clean water remaining unaddressed by those in power.

The international press has widely criticized Morocco’s handling of the earthquake aftermath, and Fouad Abdel Moumen, a Moroccan human rights and economic activist, stated, “What they are trying to do is control the damage, but it is too late. The international media has exposed a regime that lives in a prehistoric period.”

International Outcry and Political Dimensions

The expulsion of Muller and De Campo has led to an international outcry. Reporters Without Borders denounced it as a “brutal and unacceptable attack on press freedom.” This incident unfolds against the backdrop of strained relations between Morocco and France, exacerbated by French media coverage of the earthquake, which Moroccan commentators perceive as biased against King Mohammed VI.

The Moroccan National Press Council sent a complaint to the French Council for Journalism Ethics and Mediation (CDJM) regarding publications in “Charlie Hebdo” and “Liberation.” The Progressive National Party denounced “violations” occurring amidst the fallout from the earthquake.

Official Response and Claims of Transparency

In response to the expulsions, the Moroccan authorities have maintained that the return of the French journalists was “a legal consequence of violating the law.” Government spokesman Mustapha Paytas emphasized that the journalists had entered Morocco for tourism, not journalism. He argued that they had not requested permits to cover the earthquake and were subjected to administrative forced return in accordance with the law.

Minister Paytas also highlighted the presence of numerous foreign journalists, including French nationals, who had covered the earthquake, emphasizing that Morocco provided a climate of “freedom and transparency.”

Political Motivations Suspected

However, reports from private French media have suggested political motivations behind the expulsion. The journalists were working on an investigation that could have revealed aspects of Morocco’s economic and social landscape that the authorities wished to keep hidden.

As the international community watches closely, this incident underscores the challenges faced by journalists in Morocco and raises important questions about press freedom and political transparency within the kingdom.