Discursive Constructions of Child Marriage in Moroccan Media: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Child marriage is a longstanding issue in Morocco, often perpetuated by societal and cultural narratives that are reflected and amplified by the media. This article employs Critical Discourse Analysis to investigate how early marriage is represented in Moroccan media by focusing on the portrayal of young girls subjected to this practice. By analyzing the case of Ghizlane, a girl forced into early marriage and subjected to abuse, this study highlights the role of media in shaping perceptions of gender-based violence and child exploitation. Using Fairclough’s three-dimensional model, Labov’s narrative framework and Van Leeuwen’s legitimation strategies, the study uncovers how media discourse reinforces or challenges dominant ideologies. This research calls for a shift in media advocacy, from focusing solely on sensationalized narratives to fostering structural change through survivor-centered, rights-based storytelling and systemic critique.