Moroccan journalists 'deliberately' targeted, Press Union

Evoking the various difficulties the media sector encounters in Morocco, the Moroccan press Union deplored Monday that journalists are "deliberately targeted" by security forces and authorities despite the particular interest granted to this sector.

In a communique published on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, the Syndicat national de la presse marocaine (SNPM) called for reviewing the penal approach adopted vis-à-vis the press. The press union noted that judicial authorities address press issues using coercion, saying "should authorities stick to the mentality of total domination of the public media" all initiatives to promote the sector will fail.

The communique also deplored that in most press companies in Morocco, journalists work in poor financial and professional conditions, which affects the quality of work, sales and the financial situation of these companies.

SNPM deems it important to continue dialogue with political actors and media professionals in order to enhance press freedom and guarantee the right to disseminate information. The press union described dialogue as "vital for the modernization of the media sector."

The World Press Freedom Day, celebrated every year on May 3, is an occasion to raise awareness of cases where press freedom is violated and to highlight the important role a free and unbiased press has in society.

Many cases occurred all around the world where media professionals attempting to bring certain issues to light were arrested, detained, their publications censored. Some of them even lost their lives in the service of their mission. In 2004, 71 journalists were killed in various parts of the world while fulfilling their duties.

Official statistics show that more than 500 journalists have been murdered in the past decade and that in 8 cases out of 10, the killers walk free.