Media Representation and the Language of Exclusion
In June 2026, Hespress, a prominent digital news outlet in Morocco, published an article with the headline, "Murder Case Haunts An African In Al-Darwa." What is striking about this headline is its lack of specificity regarding nationality or geographic identity; it simply refers to the individual as "an African," effectively erasing Morocco’s own identity as a nation on the African continent. This framing is not an isolated incident confined to Hespress. Other media outlets have adopted similar language in their reporting, which often designates Sub-Saharan migrants as mere representatives of Africa, while implicitly excluding Morocco from its own geographic identity. This trend becomes even more pronounced in crime reports, where suspects of Moroccan descent are typically identified by their city or neighborhood, whereas Sub-Saharan individuals are uniformly dubbed "African." Such linguistic choices, while seemingly innocuous, contribute to a broader narrative of exclusion and bias in Moroccan media.
The month of June saw an increase in crime reports, as Moroccan authorities intensified efforts to combat organized crime and drug trafficking. However, the distinction in reporting practices is glaring; the nationality of suspects is often highlighted when they are Moroccan, but such identifiers vanish when it comes to Sub-Saharan individuals. This discrepancy is not rooted in any legal framework akin to apartheid, as Morocco lacks such institutional discrimination. Rather, it resides in the language and discourse that newsrooms adopt, reflecting deeper societal attitudes towards race, ethnicity, and identity.
Historical Context and Systemic Othering
The tendency to portray black Africans as 'other' in the Maghreb is not a modern phenomenon. It has historical roots that extend long before the advent of digital media, intertwined with complex factors such as ethnicity, religion, and language. Indigenous Amazigh communities, prior to the Arab conquest of North Africa, exhibited prejudicial attitudes towards black Africans, often restricting their rights to land ownership and intermarriage. The arrival of Arab settlers in the 7th century introduced new racial hierarchies, which were further entrenched by influential scholars of the time. This historical context has shaped modern perceptions of race in Morocco, complicating the application of Western racial constructs that do not directly translate to the local milieu.
Moreover, the aftermath of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal illuminated these racial tensions. Following a contentious match, Sub-Saharan-owned businesses were targeted, and social media erupted with racist rhetoric. This violence, while perpetrated by a minority, highlighted the rapid mobilization of racial resentment in Moroccan society. The discourse surrounding this event underscores the persistent undercurrents of prejudice that can surface in times of heightened emotionality.
Despite Morocco's diplomatic efforts to position itself as a leader in Africa, the dissonance between its aspirations and the casual othering presented in media headlines reveals a troubling contradiction. The kingdom has implemented progressive migration policies that regularized thousands of undocumented migrants, an anomaly in the region. Yet, the framing of Sub-Saharan individuals as "African" in crime reports perpetuates a narrative that alienates rather than integrates. This careless language serves not only to misrepresent individuals but also diverts attention from systemic issues such as economic instability and social anxiety, ultimately failing the journalistic duty to report accurately and responsibly. The implications of such language are profound, contributing to a societal discourse that marginalizes whole communities based on their identity.
As reported by fairobserver.com.
