5. Tabloid Journalism and Corruption in Morocco

Brian discusses anti-corruption tabloid journalism in Morocco arguing that it plays a very important role in the fight against corruption. He argues that there exists a culture of patronage and nepotism in the country which makes corruption difficult to eliminate. Brian discusses corruption in government institutions explaining that anti-corruption laws are not enforced effectively and the government prosecutions often target petty corruption while companies owned by highly influential persons are rarely disciplined. He focuses on corruption in King Mohammed VI and the royal family and how they use their companies to coerce and solicit bribes. He argues that King Mohammed VI is now the richest monarchy in Africa with his personal fortune of over US$6 billion. Brian notes that there exists widespread culture of intimidations and harassments of tabloid journalists in the country that exposes corruption regularly in their tabloids. Brian concludes that even though the country criminalizes corruption, laws are not effectively enforced and government officials engage in corruption with impunity.