Peaceful pro-democracy protests on 20 February were a turning point for press freedom in Morocco, according to nine female Moroccan journalists visiting Copenhagen in March

When thousands of young people took to the streets in peaceful protest in Morocco’s largest cities on 20 February, onlookers and the media watched with apprehension, uncertain of how the scenario would unfold.

In a unique gathering coinciding with International Women’s Day, 8 March, nine leading female Moroccan journalists met with their Danish counterparts in a workshop organised by International Media Support, to discuss the influence of the recent protests on Moroccan media. 

The February 20 Movement for Change

- It was difficult to know how to cover the protests in the beginning, says Nezha Mghari, Editor in Chief of Radio Plus.

- Although the protests had been advertised on the internet weeks in advance - without any intervention from the government - little was known about the organisers, “the February 20 Movement for Change”. They had no affiliation with the existing political parties in government or the opposition. But when it became clear that the protesters were not calling for a revolution against the regime of the King Mohammed VI, but instead for a new constitution that gives more power to the Prime Minister, our task as journalists became much easier, she says.

“The February 20 Movement for Change” embodied by mostly young people, conducted the protests peacefully, calling for social and economic changes such as better healthcare access and education, while maintaining support for the King.

- They did not cross the “red line” of asking the King to abdicate, and this enabled us to cover the protests and give a voice to both those for and critical of the King. After 20 February, we are more comfortable and free to talk about all subjects, says Nezha Mghari.

Nadia Lamlili, Editor in Chief on a Moroccan magazine, attributes the recent developments to an unprecedented move by the youth of Morocco to demand economic and social change in the country.

- Young people took over by themselves for the first time. No political parties managed to mobilise youth to demand these changes which called for changes, but also underlined a love for the King.

Dynamic bloggers

Morocco has a large, dynamic blogging community and this coupled with the use of other social media meant that traditional media could not turn their backs on the protests and ignore the story, she continues.

According to journalist Khadija Smiri of a daily Moroccan newspaper, the debates on blogs and on Facebook leading up to and after the 20 February protests have also led to greater confidence amongst young people.

- People were speaking out openly without hiding their identity and faces and have continued to do so after 20 February. This is one of the major changes following 20 February. People are not afraid to use their true identity when expressing the changes they want, she emphasizes.

The students, bloggers, intellectuals and journalists that make up the 20 February Movement for Change can already observe the first fruits of their labour.  King Mohammed has announced that he is ready to carry out substantial changes within the government leadership system which will see a Prime Minister appointed from the most popular political party rather than by the King himself.

- Autumn has turned to spring for media in Morocco, says Maria Moukrim, editor in Chief of a weekly newspaper in the closing remarks of the workshop. We are expecting to have a freer press, which is protected by the law.

- There is a positive atmosphere and strong political will from the King. And there is hope.