King Mohammed enthronement, positive impact on Moroccan press

The accession of King Mohammed VI to throne in Morocco last July had a positive impact on the freedom of the press in Morocco, the Journalists Protection Committee (JPC) said.

The easing of censorship, which started with the coming to power of the Youssoufi government in 1998, was accelerated thanks to the liberal policy ushered in by King Mohammed VI, the JPC said in its annual report, made public on Wednesday.

Moroccan press tackled in a daring manner issues of joblessness, human rights and corruption, the report said, conceding that Moroccan newsmen still avoid to tackle issues likely to embarrass the government.

Self-censorship is still encouraged by some legal texts, including the press code, which stipulates serious sentences against reporters found guilty of defamation, the report said.

"Although the government is generally tolerant of political satire and criticism of state policy in the opposition press, journalists are aware of certain lines they cannot cross," said the document.

The country's press code further deters critical journalism, decreeing stiff prison penalties and heavy fines for journalists deemed to have defamed political officials, the Committee said, adding "the press code also grants the Interior Ministry the power to confiscate newspapers that are a "threat to public order."