Morocco Faces Recurring Media Campaigns Amidst National Successes

Morocco faces recurring media campaigns that seem to deliberately coincide with its national achievements and diplomatic successes. The article questions the timing of these campaigns, noting a pattern over the last decade where negative press emerges just as Morocco approaches significant national events or secures diplomatic, economic, or strategic gains that bolster its regional and international standing.

A recent example cited is the re-emergence of the "Pegasus" spyware issue, amplified by certain French media outlets. This campaign surfaced despite a recent period of unprecedented positive momentum in Moroccan-French relations, marked by a high-level visit from the French Prime Minister and the signing of key strategic agreements. The timing of this renewed focus on Pegasus, especially just before the upcoming Throne Day celebrations, raises serious questions about its intent and the messages it seeks to convey.

The article draws parallels to previous campaigns targeting Morocco on various issues, including "Pegasus," "Qatargate," the "Panama Papers," and legal and media battles concerning agricultural and fishing agreements with the European Union. Common threads across these incidents include the synchronized timing, similar discourse, and the frequent use of the same media platforms.

While acknowledging the right to press freedom and critical reporting, the author questions when certain media outlets become platforms for recycling old issues without new evidence or judicial rulings, and without providing adequate space for responses or counter-narratives. The piece references a 2014 royal speech by King Mohammed VI, who stated, "May God increase our envious people, because the abundance of envious people means abundance of achievements and blessings." This quote is presented not just as rhetoric, but as a prescient observation of Morocco's trajectory, where success itself can become a target. The article concludes by distinguishing between responsible criticism and destructive campaigns, emphasizing Morocco's clear vision and direction.