Moroccan state television channel 2M issued an apology on 25 November after broadcasting a tutorial on how to camouflage physical injuries as a result of domestic abuse with make-up.
The channel made the apology two days after the programme initially aired during a show called Sabahiyat on 23 November.
The tutorial was aired in advance of the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, an annual event that takes place on 25 November.
its inclusion was an editorial error of judgement in view of the sensitivity and the gravity of the subject of violence against women.
The tutorial caused a backlash among viewers, many of whom believed the broadcast belittled the issue at hand making it seem as though domestic violence could simply be ‘covered up’ with make-up, rather than addressed with the correct action to protect the individual affected.
2M removed the tutorial on 25 November and posted a statement on its Facebook page. The post read: “Management believes that this section is completely inappropriate and its inclusion was an editorial error of judgement in view of the sensitivity and the gravity of the subject of violence against women.”
It also stated that the broadcast’s inclusion was “in complete contradiction” with the editorial line of the company. It noted: “The chain offers its sincerest apologies for this error of judgement.”
Since the incident, a change.org petition has been created that has received 3,302 signatures.
If the petition reaches 5,000 signatures, it will be put forward to the High Authority of Audiovisual Communication (HACA) and the Moroccan government.
The petition calls for legal action to be taken against 2M and Sabahiyat.
