The Madrid Press Association has initiated a formal complaint to Spain’s journalism ethics commission following a controversial debate aired by Cuatro television, which featured unchallenged calls for the "political and economic destruction" of Morocco. This incident, which occurred on July 31, 2026, during the program Horizonte, has raised serious ethical concerns regarding media responsibility and the potential promotion of hate speech.
During the broadcast, guest Taleb Alisalem, who is affiliated with the Polisario Front, expressed his belief that Spain could dismantle Morocco politically and economically without the use of military force. This alarming statement went unchallenged by either the presenters or the other panelists, and the segment was later promoted across Mediaset's platforms, further amplifying its reach.
Moroccan academic Lahcen Haddad, who filed the complaint, emphasized that while legitimate criticism of Moroccan policy should be protected under free speech, advocating for the collective economic ruin of a nation of nearly 40 million people crosses into the realm of hate speech and collective punishment. Such rhetoric raises significant ethical concerns under international standards, including the guidelines outlined in the UN Rabat Plan of Action.
Spanish media has often portrayed Alisalem as an independent "expert"; however, he serves as a consistent mouthpiece for the Polisario movement, which seeks to undermine Moroccan territorial integrity. By presenting someone with such a biased agenda as a neutral commentator, the media not only misleads the public but also violates fundamental journalistic ethics.
Furthermore, allowing an outspoken opponent of the Kingdom to express views advocating for its destruction without any challenge or acknowledgment of his affiliations only exacerbates the breach of basic journalistic standards. To date, neither Mediaset nor the program's production team have responded to Haddad's detailed concerns, raising questions about accountability within the media.
As reported by northafricapost.com.
