On the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the Green March, Morocco is celebrating a moment of immense historical significance, marking the unwavering unity between the Moroccan people and King Mohammed VI. In this context of solidarity and national pride, the Moroccan Association of Sports Press (AMPS) and the Moroccan Alliance of Sports Journalists (AMJS) came together to defend the autonomy of sports journalists.
Gathered to shine the spotlight on issues threatening their legitimate representation, the AMPS and the AMJS denounced an attempt announced and orchestrated by an organization without legitimacy or representativeness aimed at seizing the representation of sports journalists. This maneuver, described as “dangerous conspiracy”, aims to establish the “ Stadium map » — a project which, according to the two associations, slows down journalistic independence in Morocco and endangers the rights of sports journalists at the national and international level.
The members of the two associations unanimously welcomed the first actions aimed at thwarting this initiative, highlighting the importance of protecting the achievements of the profession and defending the values of transparency, representativeness and legitimacy.
In the context of this mobilization, a missive was sent on October 28 to Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), and to Abdeslam Belkchour, president of the National Professional Football League, urging urgent intervention to suspend the implementation of this “controversial map”. “This system represents an unprecedented threat to journalistic freedoms and the rights of sports clubs, denounce the associations, and could open the way to similar practices on the African and international scene.”, according to the statements of the two associations.
In a press release, the AMPS and the AMJS strongly condemn “the unfounded accusations made by Belkchour” and denouncing what they call “deviation from ethical and constitutional principles‘. The associations say they are ready to use their legitimate right to resort to justice to preserve the credibility and independence of Moroccan sports journalists.
Driven by a spirit of solidarity and cooperation, the AMPS and the AMJS have unveiled firm actions to strengthen their unity in the face of these attacks on their independence. Among the key decisions, they call on all Moroccan sports journalists to raise collective awareness and increase vigilance against attempts to manipulate legitimate representativeness.
The two associations also wish to dialogue with the main national institutions, in particular the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Ministry of National Education and Sport, the FRMF, and the National Press Council. This dialogue, they emphasize, is essential to strengthen ethical professional practices and to cancel the implementation of the “Stadium Map”, perceived as a danger for the autonomy of the Moroccan sports press.
