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By Yassmine Zerrouki
Morocco World News
Fez, February 24, 2012
Since 2008, Al Jazeera Network was banned from operating within Morocco’s borders and ceased to cover news related to the Maghreb from its office in Rabat. The ban was due to the Network’s alleged dissemination of false information regarding clashes between security forces and demonstrators in the southern port of Sidi Ifni. Demonstrators were voicing their grievances over the lack of job opportunities and rising unemployment especially among the youth.
According to the then Moroccan Communications Minister, Khaled Naciri, the editorial policy of the Doha-based channel was perceived as “biased and unfair” toward Moroccan national issues.
A few months ago, particularly with a newly elected government, Morocco World News was informed by trusted sources that Al Jazeera may re-open an office in Rabat. The supposed arrangement is believed to have been based on the condition that its journalists cover news objectively, especially on issues related to Morocco’s territorial integrity.
Today, the topic has resurfaced. Morocco’s Communications Minister and government spokesman, Mustapha el-Khalfi, told the daily newspaper “Akhbar Al Yaoum” that he had a meeting with Al Jazeera’s General Director in which the latter requested to re-open Al Jazeera’s office in Rabat.
The Minister’s statement raises the possibility of Al Jazeera Network to reopen its Rabat office and resume its coverage of news in the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania).
Edited by Hisham El Koustaf
