How images and social media shape power for Moroccans worldwide

From cinema screens in Casablanca to smartphones in Paris, Montreal or Dubai, the power of images is now shaping what many of us call “reality”.

Films, TV news, TikTok clips, Instagram stories and digital billboards form a constant visual environment. This universe no longer just shows the world; it ranks it, putting some events in the spotlight while pushing others into the dark.

When the power of images goes far beyond simple news

A well-known formula claims that “what was directly lived has moved away into representation”. In this environment, the question is no longer only whether an image is true or false. We also need to ask who produced it, through which platforms it travels, and whose interests are served by its visibility.

A short clip can document injustice, give a face to an anonymous victim and force a government to react. Images of wars, famine, liberation movements or migration have often pushed public opinion to confront what it preferred to ignore.

But the same power of images can easily serve domination. Carefully staged media coverage can reduce a whole country to a stereotype, turn a military intervention into a supposedly heroic action, and decide which victims deserve global compassion and which will remain almost invisible.

Wars, narratives and the power of images

Today’s conflicts make this battle of narratives very visible. In Ukraine and in Gaza, every military operation is accompanied by a confrontation over videos, “evidence”, wording and interpretation.

Social platforms, news channels and high-profile accounts have become battlefields. An old video taken out of context can be recycled many times, translated, edited and reused to push a completely different message.

For Moroccans living abroad, this is not an abstract issue. It shapes how others see Morocco, North Africa, migrants and Islam. A viral picture or clip, even if manipulated, can fuel suspicion, discrimination, or even public policies in host countries.

From cyberspace to AI: a new phase in the this case

Conflict is no longer fought only with weapons or cameras. Cyberattacks are now often used to prepare disinformation: breaking into servers, stealing documents, altering files and flooding the internet with fake “proof”.

Artificial intelligence takes the this issue to another level. Faces can be generated, voices copied, and fake photos or videos created in large quantities. Visual abundance no longer guarantees truth; it can make it harder to find.

A key misunderstanding remains: confusing access with sovereignty. Having a smartphone, using a major platform or asking questions to an AI model gives us real power, but it does not mean we control the rules. Infrastructure, algorithms and priorities are still set by a small number of big players.

What it means for Moroccans abroad

For Moroccans around the world, their relationship with Morocco increasingly passes through this visual universe. Their perception of security, politics or economic opportunities often depends on what appears on their feeds.

Before a return project, an investment or even a summer visit, a single viral video can reassure them – or cause pointless anxiety. This is why learning to navigate the the story has become essential.

Some simple habits can help:

• check the original date and source of any striking photo or video;
• compare several media outlets and languages before forming an opinion;
• be cautious with content that hides where it comes from;
• distinguish between a personal story and a general trend.

Morocco itself is engaged in a long-term battle of images, whether about its African role, regional diplomacy or tourism appeal. Moroccans abroad are part of this story, through the narratives they share – or choose not to share.

In this saturated environment, understanding the the development becomes a form of personal sovereignty: stepping back, choosing our sources carefully, and refusing to let a handful of videos define our relationship with the country.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.

For official updates, readers can check the relevant official source.