I’m sorry, this debate must stop!
When a disagreement between a political figure and the media turns into a generalization affecting an entire sector, we face an unacceptable slip in public discourse. If a conflict exists, it remains personal or situational and should not be imposed on journalism as a profession or media as a societal institution. I’m sorry, this debate must end here, as expanding the scope of disagreement harms everyone and does not serve any public interest.
Describing journalists with terms like “scavengers,” or reducing public support to mere fodder does not reflect a healthy political difference, but rather signals a decline in discourse quality. The press is not a party in a political dispute, nor a tool in a personal battle. It plays a societal role of monitoring, questioning, and revealing discrepancies, and may be bothersome in fulfilling this role, but annoyance does not justify insult or belittlement.
Any politician has the right to criticize a specific journalist or particular media content and to respond or seek recourse in court when necessary. However, this right loses its legitimacy when it turns into a broad generalization that insults the dignity of an entire profession or when language is used that drains the discussion of its democratic substance.
It is logical to raise a fundamental question: if public support for journalism is viewed as fodder, how should state support for parties, campaign financing, and compensation for elected officials be characterized? Isn’t the philosophy the same in both cases? Public support, whether related to media or party work, aims to ensure pluralism and continuity, not to buy loyalty or turn sectors into dependencies.
The most concerning aspect of this discourse is that it arises at a critical moment when Morocco faces significant political, economic, institutional, and media challenges. These challenges require responsible discussion, serious rhetoric, and cooperation among actors, not marginal conflicts that drain energy and distort sectors.
A discourse based on belittlement and insult serves neither politics nor media. It facilitates slander, complicates the dialogue, and nourishes a populist sentiment that damages the image of public work and deepens the loss of trust in institutions and in political action itself.
No one is asking politicians to love the press or defend it. What is required is simply respect for the rules of democratic interaction. Specific criticism should be met with responsible responses, and differences should be resolved through the law, while preserving professional dignity as a red line. Weakening journalism today is to weaken one of the pillars of balance tomorrow.
Journalism, despite its shortcomings, will remain a space for discussion, accountability, and truth-telling. It will continue to be an essential partner in building a strong and self-assured Morocco. However, the petty arguments conducted in a language of insult will not withstand the scale of the major challenges awaiting this nation.
We are not fodder for anyone, nor are we a party in personal battles. We are part of a broader national dialogue, and our collective endeavor is for this discussion to meet the standards of a Morocco that is rising and deserves a discourse that is higher than this debate.
