The world broadcasting organization BBC has apologized on behalf of one of its reporters for a question about homosexuality in the squad of the ongoing Women’s World Cup to the captain of Morocco.
Morocco’s women’s soccer team, a Muslim-majority country, is the first Arab country to qualify for the World Cup. Critics claim that the question posed to Ghazlin Chebak in the pre-match press conference has potentially put the safety of the squad at risk.
Homosexuality between men or women is a crime in this North African country, with a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine.
This led a BBC World Service reporter to ask captain Chebak before his team’s opening match against Germany: ‘It is illegal to have homosexual relations in Morocco. Are there any gay players in your squad and how is their life in Morocco?’
A FIFA official, the organizer of the press conference, intervened, saying: ‘Sorry this is a very political question so we will only discuss football related questions.’
But the journalist insisted: ‘It’s not political, it’s about people. Please allow him to answer.’ At this point Chebak smiled and nodded.
Moroccan female fans watch the live broadcast of the Qatar Soccer World Cup 2022 semi-final match between Morocco and France in Nairobi on December 14, 2022 (AFP)
The BBC has apologized after the incident. A spokesperson for the agency told CNN: ‘We know the question was inappropriate. We have no intention of harming or traumatizing anyone.’
The media there were shocked by the conversation and some took to social media to condemn the question mark.
The Athletic’s reporter Steph Yang tweeted: ‘From a harm reduction perspective, this is not a fair question for a player and could put the players themselves at risk.
“We are obviously going to talk about the intersection of politics and sport at this World Cup and it is very important to do that. But we must be careful that our questions do not further harm those who are influenced by politics.’
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Meanwhile, Canadian news channel CBC journalist Shereen Ahmed tweeted: ‘The reporter completely crossed the line. Matters of loss reduction and raising questions to the captain or coach were unnecessary. The question was denied by a FIFA media officer, but it should not have been asked.
‘This is not a press freedom issue. You can question social rules in different places without putting people at risk. Journalists have a duty to exercise fairness, accuracy and caution. If reporting harms anyone, it is not only unethical but dangerous.’
Morocco is not only the first Arab nation to compete in the Women’s World Cup, but if defender Nohaila Benzina gets game time at the tournament, she will become the first player to wear a hijab in the global showpiece.
Chebak said in response to another question: ‘We have the honor of being the first Arab country to participate in the Women’s World Cup. We feel that we have a great responsibility to show a good image and to show the progress that the Moroccan football team has made by qualifying for the World Cup.’
The Atlas Lions battled hard in their opening match but eventually lost 6-0 to Germany, one of the pre-tournament favourites.
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**Interview with Sports Journalist Fatima El-Amari on the BBC Incident with Morocco’s Women’s Team**
**Interviewer:** Fatima, thank you for joining us today. Let’s discuss the recent incident involving the BBC reporter’s question to Morocco’s women’s soccer team captain, Ghazlin Chebak. What are your overall thoughts on this situation?
**Fatima El-Amari:** Thank you for having me. This incident highlights the complexities that come with discussing sensitive social issues in countries with strict laws, like Morocco. While it is important to address topics like LGBTQ+ rights, the timing and context must be considered, especially in a situation like a World Cup where players’ safety is at stake.
**Interviewer:** The BBC apologized for the question, claiming it was inappropriate. Do you think this apology was sufficient?
**Fatima El-Amari:** The apology was a step in the right direction, but it does not erase the potential impact of the question. It draws attention to the need for journalists to be aware of local laws and sensitivities. An inappropriate question like this can easily put players at risk, especially in a conservative society.
**Interviewer:** Many critics pointed out that the question not only sidelined the focus on football but could have endangered the team. How do you see the responsibility of journalists in such scenarios?
**Fatima El-Amari:** Journalists have a duty to inform, but they also have an ethical obligation to ensure their questions do not endanger the individuals they’re questioning. In this case, touching on the topic of homosexuality in Morocco could lead to serious consequences for the players, given the country’s laws. It’s crucial that journalists approach these matters delicately and with cultural sensitivity.
**Interviewer:** Some have argued that discussing the intersection of politics and sports is essential, especially in a World Cup context. How can this be balanced with the need for player safety?
**Fatima El-Amari:** It is absolutely vital to discuss these intersections, but we need to find a way to navigate them carefully. Media outlets should consider framing questions in a way that promotes awareness without placing individuals at risk. For instance, discussing the broader societal issues without putting specific players in jeopardy may be a better approach.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what message do you think this incident sends to both the sports community and media organizations regarding the treatment of cultural topics?
**Fatima El-Amari:** The key takeaway is the importance of thoughtful and responsible journalism. Media organizations need to train their reporters to understand the cultural contexts in which they operate, especially during international events like the World Cup. As sports become increasingly global, respecting societal norms while still striving for discourse will be paramount.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Fatima, for your insights. It’s crucial that these conversations continue as sports and culture intersect on the global stage.