Journalists rally behind Abdessamad Nasser after controversial termination by Al Jazeera
Abdessamad Nasser, a renowned journalist, was unexpectedly fired from his job in a move that was taken without consultation and that sparked a wave of outrage.
The National Syndicate of Moroccan Press has promptly expressed its unwavering support and stated that, following a thorough inquiry, it discovered that Nasser’s criticism came after the journalist issued a tweet in support of Moroccan women who were mistreated by official Algerian media. According to the Algerian comments, the Moroccan government was meddling with the honor of Moroccan women.
Nasser refused to remove the tweet when asked to do so by Al Jazeera management out of respect for free expression.
Al Jazeera’s administration directed that Nasser take down or edit his tweet in reaction to it.
In a following meeting, Nasser and the general manager of the channel were given a stern ultimatum: either remove or change the tweet, or suffer severe administrative repercussions.
Nasser reiterated that he would refuse the request and that the tweet had nothing to do with the station in Qatar.
“Shortly after the meeting, the management of Al Jazeera channel announced its choice to unilaterally end its contract with Nasser who exercised his natural freedom to voice his views outside the confines of the media.” The syndicate said.
The National Syndicate of Moroccan Press issued a statement vehemently denouncing this unjust decision.
The National Syndicate of Moroccan Press stated that “some journalists working in the same channel and in affiliated sports channels abused the Moroccan state and its institutions frequently and repeatedly, including the royal institution of the kingdom.”
The syndicate asserts that “despite the commotion that ensued, the Qatari Al Jazeera channel administration did not respond or take action.”
The National Syndicate of Moroccan Press disclosed that the Algerian Embassy in Doha had intervened and exerted pressure on the channel and the media content it generates to impose a certain orientation adverse to Morocco’s interests.
A letter of protest will also be issued to the channel and its Center for Press Freedom from the National Syndicate of Moroccan Press, which will be transmitted to the General Union of Arab Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists.
The national syndicate also made intentions to stage a demonstration in front of Al Jazeera’s office in Rabat soon known. All Al-Jazeera reporters are urged to openly defend Nasser, who was wrongfully sacked for expressing his First Amendment freedom of speech.
The National Syndicate of Moroccan Press considers that ejecting someone arbitrarily harms Al Jazeera’s reputation and undermines its claims to uphold journalistic independence and freedom of expression.