Al Jazeera Qatar: A Media Platform Undermining Moroccan Sovereignty

By: Iman Alaoui – ALDAR

The recent controversy stirred by Al Jazeera English over a map allegedly attributed to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was not an isolated incident. Rather, it fits into a recurring pattern of media attempts aimed at distorting Morocco’s position on the Sahara issue. For Morocco, whose territorial integrity is a red line, such campaigns are nothing new. The Kingdom has long been forced to confront external media narratives that tamper with sovereign symbols and present biased interpretations of the conflict.

In recent years, similar incidents have surfaced repeatedly—whether through the publication of distorted maps that exclude the Moroccan Sahara in certain international outlets, or through reports portraying the separatist front as the so-called “legitimate representative,” while ignoring the profound diplomatic shifts that have reshaped the dossier since the United States recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces, and as growing European and Latin American support has strengthened the autonomy initiative. These were not mere “editorial oversights” but, in many cases, reflected explicit political alignments.

Al Jazeera, now at the heart of this controversy, has previously faced similar criticism for giving disproportionate space to voices hostile to Morocco, while remaining conspicuously silent on international positions supportive of Rabat. Such editorial choices reinforce the impression that this goes beyond professional journalism and into the realm of narrative-building deliberately designed to weaken Morocco’s stance in regional and global forums.

The most alarming aspect of these campaigns is the manipulation of maps. Far from being simple geographical illustrations, maps are political documents symbolizing sovereignty and national unity. Any distortion is instantly transformed into a politically charged message aimed at undermining Morocco’s historical and legal rights over its Sahara.

This raises the pressing question: are such actions by certain media outlets, including Al Jazeera, simply “editorial mistakes,” or are they part of a broader media strategy? What is certain is that Morocco, having achieved unprecedented diplomatic support for its cause, now finds itself confronting an equally critical media front—one that rivals the political battlefield. As the Kingdom continues to consolidate its international standing, the battle over narratives and media interpretations remains one of the greatest challenges, demanding vigilance and a responsible counter-response.