The “Royal Avenue” project in Casablanca: The forgotten truth about the housing conditions of new beneficiaries

The Royal Avenue project: Between emotional outcry and the reality of new housing

The dossier on the relocation of residents affected by major urban projects, most notably the Royal Avenue project, is one of the most sensitive and highly debated topics in the local Moroccan landscape. Since the start of the relocation operations, media coverage and social media discourse have been divided in their attempts to capture the details of this significant urban and social transformation.

Where are the press cameras in tracking the housing conditions of the beneficiaries?

Many observers have noted a marked absence of balanced investigative journalism in some digital media practices. When the first evacuation operations began, many platforms focused on emotional scenes, documenting moments of tension and protest with sensationalist expressions to drive views and engagement. In contrast, the public is questioning why these same media outlets shy away from following the truth on the ground: where do the families live now, and what are their actual living conditions? This field follow-up, which should be the core of serious journalistic work, is often marginalized because it does not serve the “viral content” agenda at the expense of professional depth.

Emotional content versus professional journalism

Media experts emphasize that true journalism requires following a story through all its stages, rather than settling for the initial clips that stir emotions. Showing the other side of relocation operations and the living conditions of citizens after benefiting from major royal projects is a professional and ethical duty. This strengthens the credibility of the fourth estate and moves away from the logic of “chasing the buzz” at the expense of the truth and lived reality.