The Belt Programme Draws Millions of Views Amid Media Debate in Morocco
By Dzair Tube
The first episode of “The Belt- Sabta” programme, produced by the Dzair Tube digital platform and hosted by journalist Walid Al-Akil, recorded high levels of online engagement across social media platforms, including in Morocco, according to publicly available digital metrics.
The programme, which follows a commentary and analysis format, combines video excerpts, media narratives and discussion of political, social and sporting developments in the region.
In its opening segment, the programme reviewed statements attributed to Moroccan political figures regarding infrastructure resilience and public works, accompanied by video material circulating online showing weather-related impacts on stadiums and surrounding infrastructure, including reported water accumulation and access conditions in certain locations.
The programme also referenced public communications by political actors concerning infrastructure performance during periods of heavy rainfall, alongside contrasting visual content shared on social media.
Sports events and regional incidents
The episode further addressed a series of incidents linked to regional football competitions and crowd management situations in North Africa.
It cited footage circulated online relating to:
- the handling of Senegalese supporters following a youth football final involving Morocco and Senegal (U17 Africa Cup of Nations context as referenced in the programme),
- reported incidents involving Algerian journalists during sporting events in Morocco,
- disturbances involving supporters of USM Alger during the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final in the Moroccan city of Safi,
- and other reported incidents involving Tunisian and Egyptian supporters during regional competitions.
These references were presented through video materials and social media content cited within the programme.
Football rankings and development indicators
Another segment of the programme discussed international football rankings, including FIFA rankings, in relation to broader socio-economic indicators.
It compared sporting performance metrics with indicators such as education, employment, infrastructure development, and poverty levels, noting that football rankings do not necessarily correlate with broader economic or structural indicators of development.
The programme referenced the positioning of several globally prominent economies, including the United States, Germany, Japan, Russia, and China, in FIFA rankings, in order to illustrate the distinction between sports performance and macroeconomic classification.
Editorial framing and narrative structure
The programme also introduced a comparative editorial framing between institutional narratives and societal realities, as part of its analytical approach to regional discourse.
It further used the expression “two societal perceptions” in reference to differing interpretations of governance and lived experience, as part of its commentary structure.
Reception and media circulation
The episode has generated significant online circulation and engagement, according to platform-level indicators, contributing to wider discussions on the role of digital media programmes in shaping public discourse across North Africa.
Media distribution of the episode has extended across regional social media platforms, where it has been widely shared and discussed.
The programme is expected to continue with additional episodes addressing political communication, sports governance, and socio-economic themes in the region.
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Dzair Tube Media Group | Record and Standing
Dzair Tube is a leading Algerian digital journalism platform, delivering high-quality content in Arabic, French, and English. With a daily readership exceeding 500,000, it has established itself among the country’s most influential media organizations.
Recognized for editorial excellence and integrity, Dzair Tube was awarded the President of the Republic’s Prize for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on 22 October 2022. The platform operates from state-of-the-art studios, producing diverse programming across news, sports, culture, entertainment, and religion.
Dzair Tube maintains a robust digital presence, with over 600,000 YouTube subscribers, six million followers across Facebook pages, and more than 70,000 Instagram followers. Its sports daily, Dzair Sport, enjoys over 50,000 daily downloads via its official website, cementing its leadership in multimedia journalism.
Further recognized with the Media Leadership Award by former Minister of Communication Mohamed Laâgab and celebrated at the Hilals of Television awards, Dzair Tube continues to set benchmarks in innovation, influence, and public engagement, serving as a key forum for civic discourse, critical analysis, and public affairs.
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