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Dr.Mourad Beni-ich is a Political, Intelligence & Strategic Analyst based in Washington, DC. You can follow him on Twitter at: @MonarchKnight[/symple_box]
“I’m very much in support of the free press, but the free press ought to be educational and informative. And I believe they have fallen down recently on that–”Samuel Dash
On October 18 2015, the New York Times published an article titled: Muzzling Dissent in Morocco. This article accused the Kingdom of Morocco of oppressing journalists who oppose or express views contrary to the government’s policies, and therefore the well-known newspaper accused Morocco of oppressing dissent altogether. That was so courageous and outrageous of the editorial board at the New York Times.
I am not here to defend the Moroccan government, but it is important that someone clarify what foreigners fail understand. Morocco is no Plato’s Republic, but it is not how Algeria’s proxies promote it in the Western Hemisphere. It is true that there is a long way before Morocco can take its place amongst countries that implement and respect human rights to certain extent. It is important to mention here that there is NO country on Planet Earth that applies the Human Rights code to the dot; States’ interests at times enforce certain measures to be taken to protect its National Security. What the New York Times failed to acknowledge is that the moment any media outlet applies the total freedom of speech, it will be the end of governments; any government, including the one we have in the United States of America.
The Kingdom of Morocco, just like any other Sovereign State in the world reserves the right to take an measures that threaten its National Security, especially that there is an ongoing conflict, and Morocco is not lacking enemies, whether homegrown separatists or foreign mercenaries. So, I do not comprehend how the editorial board failed to spot this very crucial matter to Morocco’s politics.
Moreover, there are many journalists in Morocco and abroad who have constantly criticized the government’s policies, and yet no government agency ever harassed them or were they ever subject to detention or interrogation. It is how a journalist approach the subject of the matter. Unfortunately, many so-called journalists lack the basics of professionalism in conducting their journalistic duties. They fail to differentiate and distinguish between criticizing and insulting. They lack the basic understanding of what might be considered a National Security issue. They cannot comprehend that every Intel is an information, but not every information is an Intel. These factors will see many of them going off the hook and publish what they believe goes under their right of free speech. Sometimes I wonder what type of education they have received before obtaining the title of a “Journalist”. Writing a paragraph does not make one an expert in his field; it takes more than just putting words together to be called a Journalist.
Shall I remind the editorial team at the New York Times of the clear violations of the First Amendment during the George W. Bush era? Shall I remind them of how the authorities responded to the peaceful demonstrations of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement in New York City, Washington, DC and Philadelphia? Shall I recommend to them and to all readers a book that documented all the violations of the freedom of speech in the 21st Century: Bill of Wrongs: The Executive Branch’s Assault on America’s Fundamental Rights. Authors: Molly Ivins and Lou Dubose. Published on October 2008.
The Kingdom of Morocco is undergoing a difficult throe to possess democratic institutions. This is not an easy task to achieve though, especially after many decades of oppression during the era of the late King Hassan II. This crucial phase requires a lot of hard work and all components of the society joining forces together. It is not a one particular institution’s duty to build a democracy. Without the entire nation collaborating, the project will simply fail and collapse.
The journey to establish democratic institutions in the Kingdom of Morocco is long, but at least it is on the right path, and it might take some time, but Morocco will get there, it is just a matter of time. However, it crucially important that Moroccans mature proportionally while the process of democratizing the country is taking place, otherwise, results will be counterproductive.
The opposition and dissent in Morocco is far from being harassed or being subject of muzzling. I defy the editorial team to name one political leader from the opposition has been arrested or interrogated since 1999. The New York Times built its article on odd cases of certain “journalists” who have been interrogated or were barred from travelling overseas. Those individuals clearly violated the code of journalism, and each country reserves the right to take any measures that will protect its National Security. If the United States of America applies this rule, why not Morocco?
Why the editorial team at the New York Times failed to mention Aminatou Haidar who holds a MOROCCAN passport and she roams the world like a vagabond slagging off her country in international forums? Isn’t she considered a part of the Moroccan dissent who happens to reside in Morocco. Yet, she is not harassed by the authorities.
I have to mention here that this person Aminatou Haidar is actually doing more good to Morocco than harm. I am against stripping her of her Moroccan citizenship. No, let her roam the world and speaks her mind; the more she barks, the more Morocco score points. She is serving Morocco well, but the idiot does not realize it. And if this is not freedom of speech at its bets, what is it then I wonder?
However, what strikes me really is that since the publication of the article five days ago, I did not read in any media outlet in Morocco or overseas a firm response to the article. The Moroccan embassy in Washington, DC does not seem to be aware of such a publication, which explains the absence of any diplomatic reaction. Even the Ministry of Communication in Morocco did not issue a single statement. How about the so-called Moroccan Lobby in Washington, DC “MACP”, do they actually exist on the ground or just enjoying Moroccans’ tax money and the luxury of their offices in the heart of Washington? Do all these people actually care? I very much doubt it!
I am a proud American; I love the United States of America as much as the next man. However, I am a proud Moroccan as well, and I will not tolerate that any entity violates the other’s sovereignty, and what the New York Times did was actually interfering in other State’s Internal Affairs. Yet again, this goes unnoticed by Moroccan officials.
I hope the Western media outlets get their facts right before opening their gobs about other nations, and I hope the Moroccan diplomacy shakes the dust off its back and begins applying diplomatic methods, that if they are fully aware of those methods. Otherwise, Moroccan enemies will continue scoring points against Morocco and the whole nation will be simply watching the farce of diplomatic decline of a country that deserves more from its Civil Servants and those who took the oath to serve the nation. Otherwise, those officials should be held accountable for the political and diplomatic flounders and gaffes. It is simple: Serve or leave!
The United States of America is a Great Nation.. And so Is the Kingdom of Morocco!
