Morocco: French journalist Thérèse Di Campo Forcibly Deported

The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns the forced expulsion, calls for reinstatement 

Location: Morocco, Casablanca
Date: September 20, 2023

French Photojournalist Thérèse Di Campo and reporter Quentin Müller forcefully deported from the country. Expulsion likely politically motivated amidst broader criticism of French media in Morocco and growing tensions with France. The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses solidarity with Thérèse Di Campo. We strongly condemn her forced expulsion from Morocco and demand immediate reinstatement.  

“We were removed and forcibly expelled from the country without any explanation. This speaks a lot to the repressive atmosphere in Morocco,” says Marianne staff reporter Quentin Müller on his and photojournalist Thérèse Di Campo's deportation from Morocco. 

Following critical reporting on the rule of King Mohammed VI, a subject that is considered taboo within the North African nation, Thérèse Di Campo and Quentin Müller were forcefully removed from their hotel room in Casablanca and placed on the earliest flight to Paris by ten plainclothes police officers. 

Stéphane Aubouard, an editor at Marianne Weekly, believes the deportation is politically motivated and a direct response to the journalists’ reporting.

The journalists had traveled to the country to cover the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that killed nearly 3,000 and had met with "Moroccan personalities under surveillance." Müller says their deportation is "purely political. This is why we were arrested. There is no other explanation.” 

Moroccan authorities deny the allegations, claiming the deportation is based on procedural grounds rather than political motives. “They neither requested accreditation nor declared their intent to engage in journalistic activities,” Moroccan government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas told reporters at a news conference in Rabat on Thursday, claiming that the journalists had violated the law. 

However, media activists portrayed it as the latest move by Moroccan authorities targeting journalists. Morocco has recently stepped up its game to stifle free press, raising concerns among various organizations and individuals who advocate for freedom of the press and expression. 

Tensions between Morocco and France have recently escalated, leading to Rabat recalling its ambassador to France at the beginning of the year without sending a replacement. Morocco also excluded France from the list of countries chosen for search-and-rescue assistance after the earthquake.

The strained relationship between the two nations is also reflected in the media. The National Press Board of Morocco lodged a formal complaint against two media outlets, Charlie Hebdo and Libération, with France's Council for Journalistic Ethics and Mediation. The complaint accused the media outlets of violating ethical norms, spreading fake news, and attacking Morocco and its institutions in reporting the country's earthquake response.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Thérèse Di Campo and strongly condemns her forced expulsion from Morocco. We consider this act to be a severe and unacceptable violation of press freedom. Such censorship tactics against journalists simply carrying out their professional responsibilities are deeply concerning. We call on the Moroccan government to apologize and reinstate Thérèse Di Campo immediately.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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