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Mouhid Ben Saïd: Fake News Threaten the Right to Information, and Combating Them is a Collective Responsibility
The Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mouhid Ben Saïd, stated that confronting fake news and media deception has become one of the most pressing challenges posed by the digital age. He emphasized that the right to information, as guaranteed by the Kingdom’s constitution, remains a fundamental pillar of democracy and a driver of development. However, it is now threatened by the rapid spread of falsehoods and deception across the digital space.
This statement was made during a speech at a meeting organized under the slogan “Intersecting Visions,” dedicated to discussing the phenomenon of media misinformation. He clarified that this slogan reflects a deep conviction that the fight against fake news cannot be won through individual efforts but through the integration of visions and the collaboration of various actors and sectors.
Ben Saïd pointed out that information has ceased to be merely a circulated news item; it has often transformed into a tool that can be used to sow discord, distort the truth, undermine institutions, and weaken societal immunity. He asserted that fake news is not just a fleeting technical error, but a genuine cultural threat that endangers collective memory and shared values, disrupting citizens’ trust in their institutions.
In this context, the minister stressed that Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is committed to building an aware and resilient society, starting from the provision of a healthy and clear media environment. He added that the best response to incorrect information remains the provision of accurate and reliable information, which requires strengthening both public and private media, and ensuring access to news with transparency, speed, and responsibility.
Ben Saïd also highlighted the importance of supporting investigative journalism specialized in fact-checking, as it serves as the first line of defense for the credibility of journalistic work. Moreover, he stressed the need to train youth and transform them from passive consumers of information into active participants possessing digital critical thinking skills that enable them to distinguish between true and misleading news.
The minister addressed the rapid transformations taking place in Morocco’s media and digital landscape, amid the digital revolution that has altered how news is produced and disseminated. He emphasized that the pressure for speedy publication often comes at the expense of verification, opening the door to rumors and the distortion of facts. Despite the relative democratization of access to information through digital transformation, he noted that this reality imposes new professional and ethical challenges on the media.
In discussing the institutional and legislative framework, Ben Saïd confirmed that the Kingdom has achieved significant gains in the field of freedom of opinion and expression, culminating in the 2011 Constitution, which enshrines press freedom and guarantees citizens’ right to professional, pluralistic, and responsible media. He also pointed out the ongoing efforts to develop laws regulating journalism and media professions, and to strengthen the economic model of media enterprises through public support directed at the journalism industry to ensure the sustainability of media institutions and enhance their role in establishing public trust.
The Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication underscored that media outlets are required today to exert double efforts to bridge the digital divide and protect society from the dangers of fake news through strict verification of information and enhancement of public critical thinking.
In concluding his speech, Mouhid Ben Saïd emphasized that the ministry is working on launching and encouraging media literacy initiatives through training courses, study meetings, and educational guides produced by the Higher Institute of Media and Communication. He expressed hope that the recommendations arising from this meeting will contribute to reinforcing the national vision in the field of media and communication, addressing present challenges, and anticipating future stakes.
