Freedom of expression in Morocco : a comparative study between the reigns of King Hassan II and Mohammed VI

Abstract

King Hassan II and King Mohammed are different in their concept of democracy. The first was severe and extremely powerful when dealing with his political opponents, while his successor opened the political scene for more freedom and human rights. However, both of them seem to be intolerant regarding the main fundamental pivots of the Moroccan Kingdom: Monarchy, Islam and sovereignty over Western Sahara. These foundations that are constitutionally and socially admitted were the main reasons behind the restrictions against freedom of expression under both Kings. The level of freedom of expression however was relatively linked to international and national political variables, the unexpected strategically shift in King Hassan's policy after the pressure of domestic and international organization to protect human rights in the nineties and the adoption of King Mohamed VI of a strict policy against the press such as the anti-terrorism law adopted after the terrorist attacks of Casablanca in 16th of May 2003 stand as clear examples. Censorship, though it is always threatening, is not actually a daily matter in Morocco and it is not systematic as well, but it takes indirect forms such as economic and political pressure on the press. Its effect was very crucial during the reign of King Hassan, but press freedom after the succession of King Mohammed has improved and censorship does not at all appear to be easy to apply as previously thanks to the Moroccan civil society which has always struggled to protect its right to free expression. However, the state remains the big owner of media as it till now keeps its monopoly over the audio-visual media.