Press and Digital Discourses on Decriminalizing Consensual Relations in Morocco: A Netnographic Study

Abstract

The decriminalization of consensual extramarital relations in Morocco, as proposed under reforms to Article 490 of the Penal Code, has created an intense debate intersecting culture, religion, domestic law, and human rights. This study investigates the digital debates surrounding this significant change in the socio-legal framework of the country. Using a netnographic approach, online comments and reactions to the announcement of the reform, and thematic analysis of newspaper articles to see how these reactions are echoed in prominent media outlets. Findings reveal that there is a polarization among Moroccans, since supporters of the decriminalization emphasize universal values like individual freedoms, bodily autonomy, and commitment to international human rights obligations. Opponents invoke religious values, cultural identity, and concerns about social order. Media echo and promote these divides depending on the orientation of the outlet. The study highlights Morocco’s tension between modernity and traditional identity, which underscores the need for culturally sensitive reform.