Rachid M’Barki, presenter of BFMTV, targeted by an internal investigation for “suspicions of interference” from outside

If proven, the facts are “serious and reprehensible”, considers the Society of Journalists (SDJ). According to an internal source at the first news channel in France, the presenter of the night newspapers on BFMTV, Rachid M’Barki, is the subject of an internal investigation, suspected of having been subjected to outside influence, AFP learned from concordant sources, confirming information from the Politico site.

“An internal investigation was actually launched more than two weeks ago following information received concerning a journalist”, who is now “exempted from activity”, the management of BFMTV told AFP, without specifying the reason for these suspicions. The investigation is aimed at “information broadcast in this night newspaper between midnight and 4:30 a.m., which would have gone on the air without being validated by the usual channel, that is to say the editor-in-chief”, has continued this insider source. The investigation must determine “if this content was under any influence” and if images broadcast on the air “came from outside”.

A topic on the economic forum between Spain and Morocco

At the center of the questions is a subject on an economic forum between Morocco and Spain organized in June. In launching the subject, according to an extract still visible on social networks, Rachid M’Barki indicates that this forum was “made possible by the warming of diplomatic relations between the two countries since Spain’s recognition of the Moroccan Sahara”. This expression refers to Western Sahara, a region largely controlled by Morocco but claimed by the Polisario Front supported by Algeria. This issue is a source of tension between Rabat and Algiers.

Asked by Politico, M’Barki admitted to having “used information that [lui] came from informants” and who “did not necessarily follow the usual course of writing”. “They were all real and verified (…) I’m not ruling anything out, maybe I was tricked, I didn’t feel like it was or that I was taking part in an operation I didn’t know what else I wouldn’t have done it,” he continues. “We cannot tolerate any suspicion about the work of BFM and its 300 journalists. We will therefore take all legal, judicial, individual and organizational measures according to the conclusions of this investigation, ”assured the management of BFMTV.

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