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Rabat – As updates of the deadly earthquake that struck Morocco on September 8 continue to make headlines, concerns about the spread of fake news and foreign media exploitation of victims’ mourning and unauthorized use of their images and videos have taken a spotlight.
The concerns were prominently highlighted in recent remarks from Touria, the woman whose heart wrenching pictures made international headlines – particularly in some French media – who used her mourning with biased headlines targeting Morocco and its efforts to tackle the earthquake crisis.
Some French media have been criticizing the Moroccan government’s commitment to relief efforts, using Touria’s images while questioning Rabat’s capacity to tackle the devastating aftermath of Friday’s earthquake without Paris’ help.
Commenting on the unauthorized use of her pictures, Touria told local media that she found her images disseminated without her consent.
“I was screaming and crying over the collapse of my house while they were taking pictures and videos of me. They tarnish my image without my authorization, this is a shame,” she said.
Touria said she did not benefit from the picture’s publication, stressing that nobody – including her family members– offered her help.
“That house was my everything. It’s my parents house. I have nothing left, no shelter,” she said.
Touria made similar comments in an interview with BFMTV, expressing anger about the use of her images while she was mourning the collapse of her house.
Read Also: Morocco Earthquake: France Has Crossed the Threshold of Tolerability
Commenting on the earthquake, Touria said she was preparing tea when she noticed that the ground was shaking while her kitchen’s furniture was falling apart.
“I managed to flee, but I realized later that my whole house had collapsed. I started screaming and crying,” she said.
French media outlets have been criticizing Morocco’s perceived decision to not accept France’s aid.
Many Moroccans expressed concerns about French media outlets’ motives, stressing that the European country should stop interfering in other countries’ sovereign decisions.
Moroccan comedian Gad Elmaleh joined a growing list of people who lashed out at French media and the government over the ongoing fierce campaign stressing that Paris should stop giving lessons to other countries.
“Everyone does what they can, as they want and as they see it. It’s important to say that in France today we believe that we can teach lessons to an entire country,” Elmaleh said, noting that France should let everyone manage their countries as they can, as they wish, and as they feel.
