Morocco’s Press Freedom Crisis: Rights Group Urges Royal Pardon for Political Detainees

In an international memorandum addressed to the ministerial delegate for human rights in Rabat, the Adala Center for Human Rights stated that the 26th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne is "an important moment to assess the achievements made in the field of rights and freedoms, including freedom of the press and expression," specifying that "the achievements remain limited in a context where concrete challenges persist that hinder freedom of the press and opinion, notably the continued restrictions on journalists through legal proceedings, political and economic pressures, which impede the establishment of genuine media freedom."

"This memorandum provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of freedom of the press and opinion in Morocco during the year 2025, within the framework of the international commitments made by the Kingdom in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and is based on an analysis of reports from human rights organizations, official data, and testimonies from journalists, in order to observe the legal and political violations limiting freedom of expression and the press, and to formulate recommendations to strengthen a free and independent media environment."

The memorandum noted that "legal proceedings against journalists and dissident voices are carried out unfairly and are based on vague laws," noting the existence of "legal and security restrictions that infringe on freedom of the press and opinion in Morocco," "a regression of the independence of the media due to economic and political pressures," and the "active role" played by human rights associations in monitoring violations and defending rights. The Center also conducted an analysis of Moroccan laws relating to freedom of expression, and a census of cases of arrest of journalists, revealing "a lack of transparency in the application of the law on the right of access to information, which hinders the work of journalists and limits media freedom."

"Human rights defenders call for the opening of a comprehensive national dialogue including the government, civil society, journalists’ unions, and media professionals, in order to update the legal and regulatory framework to promote a free and independent media environment," the memorandum states, specifying that "the approach to the 2026 legislative elections is seen as a decisive test of Morocco’s commitment to strengthening media pluralism and free political participation" and that "the improvement in the global ranking reflects some symbolic reforms, such as the royal pardon granted to detained journalists, while legal proceedings, political and economic pressures persist, which reduces the independence of the media and imposes widespread self-censorship."

The memorandum recommends, among other things, "the granting of a general royal pardon to political detainees in detention or convicted at liberty, the repeal of legal provisions used to restrict freedom of expression, notably Articles 265 and 126 of the Penal Code, the guarantee of fair and transparent trials, and the strengthening of the independence of the judiciary, the promotion of transparency in the distribution of public advertisements and financial support, the opening of a comprehensive national dialogue to modernize the legal and regulatory framework of press freedom, and economic and technical support for independent media to strengthen their resilience."