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Parents Struggle to Advocate Education Rights for Autistic Children in Morocco

June 30, 2020 By Stella Shi

Photo: Chama Bendaoud, 13, and her paraprofessional checking her math homework. Photo by Stella Shi.

As Moroccan government enforces new policy on education for autistic children, families are still struggling to access basic rights.

By Stella Shi

Last updated December 2019

RABAT, Morocco — Aya Hajarabi’s curly hair is tied up in a bun with loose ends over her face. As her mother is talking to the psychiatrist, Aya observes them intently and repeatedly taps on her mom’s shoulder. Then she shouts the only word she knows: “Mama!” she screams in a piercing tone, hoping for attention.

News Roundup: Casablanca Hospital Transforms Maternity, Pediatric Wards; Morocco to free over 5,000 prisoners; Why Morocco’s king is moving closer to Saudi Arabia’s MBS

April 6, 2020 By Solaine Carter

Photo Credit: Middle East Eye

April 6th, 2020

Three stories you need to read today. Compiled and broken down for you by Reporting Morocco student journalists — every day. Brought to you from the School for International Training’s journalism program, Rabat.

Casablanca Hospital Transforms Maternity, Pediatric Wards for COVID-19

Source: Morocco World News

Lede: Rabat – The Moulay Youssef Regional Hospital Center (CHR) in Casablanca has transformed its 20-bed maternity ward to accommodate COVID-19 patients.

The hospital is in the process of transitioning the pediatric ward for the same purpose, Maghreb Arab Press (MAP) reports.

News Roundup: Oil and gas industry expands; Algeria slams Cote d’Ivoire consulate; Moroccans abroad react to Islamophobic terrorism

February 22, 2020 By Gari De Ramos

Photo credit: DR

February 22, 2020

Predator Oil & Gas Prepares for Future Drilling Operations in Morocco

Source: Morocco World News

Lede: The agreement between British company Predator Oil & Gas and Canada’s industrial firm Star Valley Drilling for oil exploration works onshore in Morocco’s Guercif, eastern Morocco has come into effect.

Key Background: Predator Oil & Gas previously announced drilling plans in Morocco would begin in 2020, and issued a new statement on Wednesday to announce updates on its projects from the Guercif Permits I, II, II, and IVV.

News Roundup: Closure of Ceuta & Melilla Borders; Maternal Deaths Declining; Middle Class Initiative

February 18, 2020 By Marlon Hyde

Photo credit: AFP

February 18, 2020

Three stories you need to read today. Compiled and broken down for you by Reporting Morocco student journalists–every day. Brought to you from the School for International Training’s journalism program, Rabat.

Closure of Borders Exposes Ceuta, Melilla Dependence on Morocco

Source: Morocco World News

Lede: Essaouira – The autonomous government of Ceuta has called a meeting on Monday, January 17, with the government of Melilla to come up with an action plan to “respond energetically” to the “pressure” Morocco is putting on the two enclaves to “suffocate their economies,” according to a statement from the spokesperson for the government of Ceuta, Alberto Gaitan.

News Roundup: Court Supports Deportations; Amnesty International Weighs In; Rabat Claims Culture Capital Title

February 13, 2020 By Jessica Blough

Photo credit: AP Photo/Jesus Merida.

European court backs Spain on express migrant deportations Source: AP News. Lede: The European Court of Human Rights on Thursday backed Spain’s express deportation of two African migrants back to Morocco from a Spanish enclave in northwest Africa as part of a mass expulsion. Key Background: The two men, along with several dozen others, crossed the high three border wire fences separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco in August 2014. They were caught by Spanish police and immediately returned to Morocco. Why this is newsworthy: The article goes on to say that human rights organizations regularly criticize express deportations like this one.

News Roundup: Record Year for Moroccan Tourism, Morocco’s Unemployment Rate Slips, Morocco Launches Campaign to Encourage Reading

February 10, 2020 By Corrine Schmaedeke

Photo by Morocco World News

Record year for Morocco tourism with increased air links to Europe

The Arab Weekly

Lead: A record 13 million tourists visited Morocco in 2019, up 5.2% from the previous year, a rise attributed to increased air links to Europe.

Why it’s newsworthy: Tourism is a major part of Morocco’s economy, as it accounts for 10% of Morocco’s GDP. This boost in tourism created over half a billion dollars more in revenue than last year. Morocco has been working to grow its tourism industry by showcasing Moroccan tourism in Spain and expanding airports, and this record amount of tourists affirms this work as successful for the Moroccan economy.

News Roundup: Arrest for Coronavirus rumor; border clampdown for migrants; Western Sahara maritime expansion

February 5, 2020 By Gari De Ramos

Photo by Fadel Senna / AFP

Police arrest woman spreading rumors on Coronavirus outbreak in Morocco

Morocco World News

Lead: Moroccan police arrested a woman for spreading rumors about the outbreak of coronavirus in Morocco. The arrest took place on Monday.

Nut graph: The outbreak of the virus is spreading fear across the world. The disease first broke out in China in December 2019. More than 400 people have died due to the virus in China, with more than 20,000 cases confirmed.

Why this is newsworthy: This article highlights the Moroccan public’s concern over the quickly spreading Coronavirus, as well as the Moroccan government’s liberal use of arrest for false information on its citizens.

Fenced Off From the Hopes For a Better Life

October 9, 2019 By Ella Feldman

The following article was put together by three students from the spring 2019 class of SIT: Field Studies in Journalism and New Media and was published in U.S. News and World Report in October 2019. Text is by Lauren Goldfarb (Skidmore College), photos are by Catherine Brewer (Providence College), and audio is by Giulia Villanueva (Ithaca College).

TANGIER, MOROCCO — High above the sprawling concrete landscape of ships, trucks and docks of the Tangier Med Port are the words “God, Nation, King,” laid out in massive white Arabic letters on a mountainside.

News of the Day: September 12, 2019

September 11, 2019 By Student Writer

“Morocco: Protests as journalist faces jail over alleged abortion”

Lede: “Hundreds of people protested on Monday in front of a Moroccan court as the trial opened of a journalist accused of having a late-term abortion and sexual relations outside marriage.”

Nut Graph: “The case brought against Hajar Raissouni, who writes for the Arabic daily Akhbar Al-Yaoum, has triggered a furious debate in the media and online about civil liberties and freedom of the press in the North African country.”

Why is this newsworthy?: This situation is ongoing and speaks to the larger issue of press freedom in Morocco.