Morocco deports 2 French journalists entering country without authorization

RABAT, Morocco

Morocco deported two French journalists for entering the country on tourist visas and failing to obtain accreditation for their professional work or clarify their profession as required by local law, a senior official said on Monday.

"The two French journalists entered the country for tourist purposes and did not request any authorization, nor did they declare that they were journalists, as required by law," Moroccan government spokesman Mustapha Baitas said.

He noted that “some media coverage of the earthquake events by French journalists was not objective, but none of them were subjected to any harassment.”

Baitas said 312 foreign journalists, 78 of whom are French and represent 16 French media outlets, were granted accreditation to cover the earthquake.

The magnitude 7 earthquake killed nearly 3,000 people and injured more than 6,000 others, according to official figures.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat