Fake journalist in Beni Mellal sentenced to 2 years for defamation and impersonation
A taxi driver was sentenced on Thursday to two years in prison and fined 20,000 dirhams by the Criminal Chamber of the Beni Mellal Court of First Instance. According to Al Akhbar, he was prosecuted for impersonation, insulting officials, and spreading false allegations with the intent to defame, with repeat offenses.
Arrested in Fkih Ben Salah, he was brought before the prosecutor on February 20 while in custody and subsequently placed in pre-trial detention. Already convicted multiple times over the past year, he had used his Facebook page to publish unfounded accusations against officials, elected representatives, and community leaders, manipulating public opinion through platforms dedicated to slander and blackmail.
Several human rights organizations took legal action, particularly denouncing serious accusations he had made against the public prosecutor of Fkih Ben Salah. The accused falsely claimed to be a journalist by misusing credentials, prompting media professionals to welcome his arrest.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
19-06-2025
- Ya Biladi
Internet tops as news source in Morocco, but trust remains low
The Digital News Report 2025, published by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, highlights notable changes in Morocco's media landscape. After years of criticism over limited press freedom and state control of media outlets, some positive signs are beginning to emerge. In recent months, Morocco has seen the release of detained and exiled journalists, along with the rise of new independent voices on digital platforms. These developments offer a glimmer of hope for a freer and more open media environment. However, this progress is unfolding in a digital ecosystem where trust remains fragile, and recent regulatory reforms have drawn mixed reactions. The report also points to a sharp increase in content production. In August 2024 alone, over 136,000 articles were published, most of them online, representing a 23.7% year-on-year increase. This surge spans multiple languages, reflecting growing momentum as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Digital Platforms Dominate News Consumption The internet has become the primary source of news for most Moroccans, with 78% of respondents saying they rely on it. Social media and messaging apps play a central role in this shift. YouTube is now the most-used news source (49%), followed by Facebook (47%), Instagram (32%), and TikTok (24%). WhatsApp groups are also widely used for news sharing (30%), alongside Telegram, which is gaining ground. Yet this shift to digital has brought new challenges, chief among them, the spread of misinformation. More than half of respondents (54%) say they struggle to tell real news from fake online. Digital influencers are seen as the main culprits (52%), followed by local politicians (30%). Social platforms and video apps have fueled the rise of a new generation of content creators who are reshaping how news is produced and consumed, particularly among young people. YouTube, in particular, has become a hub for bloggers, political commentators, and influencers, some of whom test the limits of acceptable discourse in Moroccan public life. Despite the growth in digital engagement, trust in news remains low in Morocco, among the lowest globally. According to the report, only 28% of respondents said they trust the news. Many cite a lack of media independence and the tendency of outlets to avoid sensitive issues or echo official government positions.
Ya Biladi
28-05-2025
- Ya Biladi
Agadir man arrested for Facebook death threats against Moroccan PM
Estimated read time: 1' Following a complaint lodged by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, a young man was arrested in Agadir on charges of making death threats, defamation, and inciting violence. These charges relate to posts he published on Facebook. Media sources indicate that the detained individual had posted direct threats and incitement in both Arabic and Amazigh on his Facebook account, reportedly reacting to the prevailing rise in prices across Morocco. The competent public prosecutor's office has ordered his provisional detention as part of an ongoing investigation into the full circumstances and context of the controversial posts.
Morocco World
28-05-2025
- Morocco World
Spelling, Language Errors in Bac Regional Exam Spark Concerns in Morocco
Rabat – Several education professionals in Morocco expressed shock and frustration on social media about spelling and language mistakes found in the regional French exam for the Casablanca-Settat region. Many educators took to social media to point out these mistakes, saying that the exam appears to have been prepared hastily. Others expressed shock that the exam draft did not go through a proper process of proofreading and review before being finalized and sent to schools in the region. Some teachers blamed the inspection authority responsible for preparing and drafting exam questions. This authority usually uses suggestions sent by subject teachers from different schools. The errors spotted in this exam are seen by many as a serious disrespect to the teaching profession, especially since teachers are responsible for evaluating students fairly. Some suggest that this is the result of educators who may have gotten their jobs through cheating or bribery, but noted that many qualified and dedicated teachers work hard to deliver quality education. Social media users jumped on the bandwagon and criticized the lack of quality control, saying that such important exams should be double-checked before printing and distribution. Some pointed out that there is a special team in charge of reviewing exam papers, and that they should be held responsible for these mistakes. 'The exam paper must be carefully reviewed before being printed and distributed to the candidates. Of course, there is a team responsible for this task, and they receive compensation for it. They should be held accountable for this … they're only quick to grab the money,' said a Facebook user. The regional exam for the first year of the baccalaureate kicked off across the country on Monday. Tags: BaccalaureateEducationFrenchMoroccoRegional exams
