Rabat – Abdelilah Benkirane, the Secretary-General of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), publicly apologized to journalist Khalid Fatihi for insulting him during a political rally in Fez on Sunday.
Benkirane had described Fatihi, the Editor-in-Chief of Al3omk news site, as a “barhouch,” meaning a “brat” or a “delinquent” in Arabic, as well as accused him of being influenced by financial incentives or bribery to behave or ask questions in a particular manner.
In a post on Facebook today, the PJD leader explained that his “inappropriate” remarks were made in the heat of the moment after he became upset with the way Fatihi conducted an interview with President of PJD’s National Council Idriss El Azami El Idrissi. The interview was aired on December 20 on Al3omk’s Youtube channel.
Benkirane admitted that his remarks crossed the line as they shifted from constructive feedback to personal insults.
“While I stand by my criticism regarding his poor and unprofessional handling of the interview, I apologize for calling him a ‘barhouch’ and accusing him of being ‘paid’[to act in a certain way],” he wrote on Facebook.
Several journalists and media figures expressed their solidarity with Fatihi and condemned Benkirane’s remarks as unprofessional and inappropriate.
Read also: Benkirane to Akhannouch: Resign and Let Morocco Breathe for the Next Two Years
Meanwhile, Al3omk released a statement condemning Benkirane’s remarks, saying that they were “deeply surprised and astonished by the offensive statements.” The newspaper added that the remarks included “false accusations and offensive remarks, such as calling him a ‘paid journalist.’”
The newspaper’s editorial board held a meeting this morning to discuss the incident and decided to sue and “seek justice in the courts.” The statement noted that Benkirane’s remarks caused “significant psychological and moral harm” to Fatihi and his family.
The newspaper stressed that Fatihi conducted the interview “with the same professionalism shown to all his previous guests, including the government spokesperson.”
In addition, Al3omk announced their “boycott” of covering Benkirane’s activities until the PJD is “blessed with a Secretary General who respects himself, his colleagues, and other stakeholders, and who demonstrates political and ethical responsibility.”
The newspaper also expressed appreciation for the various officials and politicians, including those from PJD, who distanced themselves from Benkirane’s remarks.
