Today, at a hearing on “Human Rights and Freedom of Expression in Morocco” held by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. Congress, CPJ Middle East and Northern Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour presented testimony on the threats to press freedom and journalists’ safety in Morocco.
Mansour’s testimony focused on Morocco’s record of retaliation against journalists using dubious legal charges, smear campaigns, and surveillance. He emphasized that this record stretches back decades, has intensified since 2015, and includes orchestrated forms of intimidation designed to threaten and silence reporters.
Mansour also provided recommendations to U.S. policymakers to reverse the downward trend for press freedom in the country, including calling on U.S. authorities to demand the release of all jailed members of the press; to emphasize press freedom in meetings with Moroccan authorities; and to investigate authorities’ alleged use of surveillance technology to monitor reporters.
Mansour’s testimony is available in English and Arabic.
This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.