In the face of false news: A national strategy to protect Morocco’s image
Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, unveiled a comprehensive plan to address the phenomenon of fake news targeting the systematic distortion of Morocco’s image through hostile foreign media. In response to a parliamentary question, the minister explained that the strategy is based on creating a dedicated monitoring and analysis department focused on verifying news and providing accurate reports about Morocco’s image in the international media, along with continuous monitoring and dissemination of accurate information.
The ministry also emphasizes strengthening relationships with accredited foreign media in Morocco by providing diverse and reliable news sources to counter malicious campaigns. This includes supporting national audiovisual productions for these outlets and facilitating the creation of media reports based on accurate sources.
The strategy also includes a media vigilance monitoring system that enables immediate responses to misinformation, as well as the development of digital tools to enhance citizens’ access to trustworthy information and promote an informed media culture through educational programs directed at both media professionals and the community. The ministry places significant importance on strengthening professional journalism and supporting its capacity to obtain accurate information, in collaboration with academic institutions and relevant bodies.
The minister highlighted the vital role played by official portals like maroc.ma and sahara.ma in enabling citizens to access accurate information. This announcement comes amid ongoing media campaigns disseminating false news targeting Morocco’s unity and its sovereign institutions, underscoring the necessity of adopting effective media diplomacy and advanced tools for monitoring and rapid responses to these challenges.
