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Casablanca — Morocco has moved up in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2026 World Press Freedom Index, but the picture on the ground remains uneven, with journalists still working under pressure and legal risk.
The country now ranks 105th out of 180, gaining 15 places compared to last year. Its overall score stands at 50.55, slightly higher than in 2025. The improvement is visible across several indicators, especially political and security conditions, even if economic and legal constraints continue to weigh on the media sector.
At first glance, the numbers suggest progress. No journalists or media workers have been reported killed or detained in Morocco since January 1, according to the real-time monitoring data shown in the report’s dashboard. That contrasts sharply with global figures, where 13 journalists have already been killed and 474 detained worldwide this year.
But behind the absence of physical violence, the pressure takes other forms as legal action remains a constant threat. Journalists who criticize the government can face lawsuits, and the use of financial leverage over media outlets is widely reported. The current government, led by Aziz Akhannouch, has been accused of tightening its grip on the sector, both politically and economically.
The Moroccan media landscape still looks diverse on paper, however in reality, it tells a different story. Independent voices exist, but they are few, and often operate under constraints. According to the RSF report, outlets like Lakome, Badil, and Enass continue to publish critical reporting, but maintaining financial stability is a challenge. Advertising revenue tends to favor media aligned with the authorities, leaving independent platforms in a fragile position.
Legal reforms over the past decade have not fully eased tensions. While prison sentences for press offenses were abolished in 2016, journalists can still be prosecuted under other laws. The growing number of court cases, combined with concerns over judicial independence, has led to a climate where self-censorship is common.
Read more: Moroccan Government Approves Draft Law to Reorganize National Press Council
One shift stood out this year. A contested draft law to overhaul the National Press Council, criticized by journalists and rights groups as a potential tool for tighter control over the media, was revised and adopted at committee stage in April.
The bill, known as 09.26, reshapes the council’s structure, including reducing its membership from 19 to 17 following a Constitutional Court ruling, and revising how journalists and publishers are represented. It also keeps disciplinary powers within a professional body rather than transferring them to the courts, a point the government says preserves independence but critics question.
More than 130 amendments were proposed during debate, many focused on transparency, representation, and oversight. The text has not yet completed the legislative process, and its final impact remains unclear.
Coverage of certain topics remains sensitive. Reporting on the monarchy, religion, security services, protests, or Western Sahara can still trigger pressure. Journalists investigating corruption face even greater risks, both legal and financial.
The broader regional context does not help. North Africa continues to see a steady decline in press freedom, driven by political pressure, economic fragility, and legal restrictions. Morocco’s improvement stands out in this environment, but it does not signal a structural shift.
Globally, the situation is worsening. This year’s index shows that more than half of all countries are now classified as having “difficult” or “very serious” conditions for press freedom, the lowest average score in 25 years.
In Morocco, the absence of jailed or killed journalists marks a clear difference from more dangerous environments. Still, the daily reality for many reporters is shaped by quieter constraints. Lawsuits, financial pressure, and editorial influence do not leave visible scars, but they shape what can be said and what remains unsaid.
For now, the country sits in the middle of the global ranking. Not among the worst but not among the safest either.
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