فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Abdelilah Benkirane has apologized after referring to journalist Khalid Fatihi as a “kid” (“barhouch”) during a party meeting held on Sunday in Fes. Meanwhile, the Al3omk website has announced that it will file a complaint against the Secretary-General of the Justice and Development Party (PJD).
“During my speech last Sunday at the party meeting in Fes, I expressed my remarks on how Mr. Khalid Fatihi, a journalist from ‘Al-Omk’, conducted his interview with my brother Driss El Azami El Idrissi. Given that I was angered by the inappropriate manner in which this interview was conducted, I crossed the line of criticism by using inappropriate terms to describe him,” the former Head of Government wrote on Monday in a Facebook post.
Benkirane added: “I maintain my criticisms regarding his poor management and lack of professionalism in the interview, but I want to apologize for calling him a kid (‘barhouch’) and accusing him of being paid for it.”
This statement provoked indignant reactions, particularly from the Moroccan Forum of Young Journalists, which described Benkirane’s remarks as “irresponsible from a political leader who is supposed to demonstrate wisdom and tolerance.” The Forum expressed its total solidarity with the journalist and member of its executive board following the “defamation and insult campaign” he suffered.
Shortly after this reaction, the response from Al3omk’s publishing management followed. In a statement, the media outlet expressed its great surprise and astonishment at the insulting remarks made by Benkirane against its editor-in-chief. “Benkirane baselessly and insultingly accused Khalid Fatihi of being a ‘paid journalist’, following a professional interview he conducted with Driss Al Azami, president of the PJD’s National Council,” the media denounced, citing other insults such as “insolent” and “corrupt.”
Al3omk also notes that the approach adopted by the journalist during the program was the same as that adopted for all previous guests, including the government spokesperson.
In this context, the media outlet announces that it will resort to justice “as a guarantor of truth, to seek compensation for the serious accusations made by Abdelilah Benkirane during his political meeting in Fes, broadcast live, which caused significant psychological and moral harm to Khalid Fatihi and his family.”
Finally, Al3omk announces that while continuing its work with the PJD, it will “boycott Abdelilah Benkirane’s activities until the Justice and Development Party is led by a Secretary-General who respects his own dignity, that of his colleagues and other political actors, and who demonstrates political and ethical responsibility.”
