A BBC reporter asked the Moroccan women's team captain to potentially out her teammates. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

(CNN) At a media conference ahead of Morocco’s Women’s World Cup opener against Germany, a reporter from the British news organization’s World Service asked Ghizlane Chebbak:

“In Morocco, it’s illegal to have a gay relationship. Do you have any gay players in your squad and what’s life like for them in Morocco? The press conference moderator interjected, saying: “Sorry, this is a very political question, so we’ll just stick to questions relating to football.” [the reporter replied] “No, it’s not political, it’s about people, it’s got nothing to do with politics. Please let her answer the question.”

A BBC spokesperson told CNN: “We recognize that the question was inappropriate. We had no intention to cause any harm or distress.”

There was then one more question before the press conference was ended.

According to Human Rights Watch, “Moroccan law also criminalizes what it refers to as acts of ‘sexual deviancy’ between members of the same sex. Article 489 of the penal code punishes same-sex relations with prison terms of up to three years and fines of up to 1,000 dirhams ($91).”
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Why would that reporter ever think it's okay a)to have someone else out other players on the team and b)talk about players personal relationships that has nothing to do with a football match whether they were gay, straight, whatever and c) out them knowing it is illegal in their country? Like what is the point of that? Thoughts?

[Alli39]

Uncool. The reporter should know better than to ask about something that could get someone investigated and put in jail. I'm pretty much most reporters/news people literally have codes of conduct on that type of thing because they're aware of how dangerous being in the news can be for an individual.

[Asker]

Even beyond that which I would think would be obvious in how absolutely wrong this was, what has that question got to do with the football match? It is not the prerogative of anyone to be discussing someone's personal life especially one that is not their own, let alone when it could be dangerous to do so. I hope they didn't just do this for kicks just for PR...which at this point....wouldn't put it past anyone.

[Alli39]

I mean, it's pretty common for reporters to try and ask personal questions to create deeper, more interesting and politically-relevant stories, but that often ends up with the stereotype of BIPoCs inevitably getting asked how their race affects their career, etc.

[jshm2]

Just more examples of Western reporters stirring the waters.

[Lliam]

That the actual F***? That reporter should be fired.

[Asker]

It's just incredibly ridiculous that they would ever think that was an okay question and to further the point by asking her again, means they are completely out of touch with the reality of that...and at a sporting event where it's about sports, not who someone's dating.

[Lliam]

It was bizarre. I can't imagine why he would ask that.

[Anonymous]

BBC reporting has gone in the toilet, has been getting worse for years.