United States Agency for Global Media

Maghreb Voice named New York Festivals finalist

May 10, 2019

The Maghreb Voice’s report, “Victims of Incest in Morocco” was named as a finalist at the New York Festival’s Television and Film Awards in the category of Best Digital News-Short Report.

“Victims of Incest in Morocco,” exposes the sensitive subject of young girls that were molested and raped by their fathers, brothers and uncles. In the report, these (now adult) women tell their deeply personal stories about the disbelief and horror the felt as children, as well as the lack of support from other family members and the community. One woman interviewed spoke about her husband molesting her daughter and her strong desire to take her children and leave. Until she realized she and her children had nowhere to go and they all had to stay with her husband. For some women, the shame of incest leads them to feel that they have no way to escape, except suicide.

“These stories are so important to cover because there is such a social stigma surrounding this topic. It is a difficult story to report on, but necessary to start a conversation that will hopefully lead to women and girls who have survived incest getting the help they need,” stated Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) President Amb. Alberto Fernandez. MBN manages and oversees Maghreb Voices. “I am very proud of the Maghreb Voices team. Through their professionalism and story-telling, they were able to convey the complex emotions of these women, as well as the professionals that assist them.”

“The Maghreb Voices team works tirelessly to give a voice to the voiceless people of the Maghreb. Stories like this one are a celebration of the free press,” remarked Fadoua Massat, Editor-in-Charge of Maghreb Voices. “We were very touched by the victims’ statements. In particular, the young woman who described how confused she was when her brother sexually abused her and how scared and helpless she felt. Maghreb Voices gave her a platform to tell her story.”

New York Festivals Television and Film Awards honors content in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries. Embracing all aspects of the Television and Film industries, categories mirror today’s global trends and encourage the next generation of story-tellers and talent.

Maghreb Voices is a website and corresponding social media properties dedicated to North Africa. Maghreb Voices is operated by the non-profit corporation “The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc.” (MBN).

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