Mediapart Journalist Refused Entry to Morocco
On August 13, 2026, Nejma Brahim, a journalist for the French media outlet Mediapart, faced a troubling experience upon her arrival in Morocco. As she attempted to travel to the northern region of the country for a report addressing the recent tragic migration incidents near Sebta, she was reportedly detained and interrogated for five hours at Tangier Airport. Following this extensive questioning, her passport was confiscated, and she was compelled to board a return flight to Paris. Reports indicate that the document provided to her cited her French nationality and Algerian origins as factors in her expulsion.
Mediapart has publicly condemned this action, asserting that it undermines press freedom and raises significant concerns regarding the treatment of journalists in Morocco. To date, Moroccan authorities have not disclosed the specific reasons behind the denial of entry to Brahim, leaving many questions unanswered. This incident is set against a backdrop of escalating tensions concerning media coverage of migration issues at the Moroccan border, particularly concerning the Spanish enclaves of Sebta and Melilia.
Additionally, on August 15, other journalists from the Spanish news agency EFE and television network TVE were similarly barred from filming in Fnideq by Moroccan officials. These actions have been interpreted by some media outlets as a manifestation of reciprocal measures, following reports that a team of journalists from Morocco's 2M network was prevented by Spanish authorities from entering Sebta with their filming equipment. The implications of these restrictions on freedom of the press are profound, raising alarms about the state of media rights in the region.
As reported by mobile.telquel.ma.
