In its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders has ranked Morocco 120th out of 180 countries, marking a modest rise despite ongoing concerns about government control over media. The report highlights significant pressures on independent journalists under Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch's government. The 2025 Annual Report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Tuesday, December 9, ranked Morocco 120th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, with a score of 48.04 points, an improvement of nine places compared to 2024. Across RSF's sub-indicators, Morocco placed 97th for the political context, 115th for the economic environment, 117th for the legislative framework, 116th for the social context, and 115th for safety and security. The Akhannouch Government «has tightened control over the sector» The organization notes that independent journalists in Morocco «face significant pressure», adding that the current government, led by businessman and Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, «has tightened control over the sector». According to the report, the diversity of the Moroccan media «is only a facade, and the media do not reflect the diversity of political opinion in the country». RSF states that independent journalists and critical outlets are subjected to «significant pressure», while the right to information is «crushed by a powerful propaganda and disinformation machine serving the political agenda of the government and its close allies». Since the National Rally of Independents won the 2021 legislative elections, RSF argues that Prime Minister Akhannouch «increased judicial actions against journalists who criticise his government», using his «financial power to influence the editorial choices of the most prominent media outlets, while outlets that oppose his government face financial restrictions». RSF warns that this fusion between money and political power weakens the press's ability to scrutinize corruption and the management of public affairs. The report adds that criminal prosecutions of journalists remain widespread, and that replacing the National Press Council with a temporary committee in 2023 was «a step backwards for media self-regulation». On the social front, RSF notes that although Moroccan society consumes independent journalism, it shows little willingness to defend it. It highlights a disturbing pattern in recent years: the use of fabricated or morally charged cases, such as allegations of rape, human trafficking, extramarital relations, or illegal abortion, against critical journalists. Pressures on independent media have increased as the 2026 elections approach, the organization says, pointing to the Justice Minister, Abdellatif Ouahbi, who has «stepped up prosecutions against journalists». Morocco Ranks Second in the Maghreb Within the Maghreb, Morocco ranked second, behind Mauritania (50th), and ahead of Algeria (126th), Tunisia (129th), and Libya (137th). In the Arab world, Morocco came third, after Mauritania and the Comoros (75th), followed by Qatar (79th). Globally, Norway topped the 2025 index, ahead of Estonia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. The top ten also included Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. At the bottom of the ranking were Eritrea, North Korea, China, Syria, Iran, and Afghanistan. RSF also reported that 67 journalists were killed worldwide in 2025, half of them in Gaza, where RSF states they were killed by the Israeli army.
