The Moroccan media landscape in 2024 has witnessed a notable increase in the number of professional journalists facing legal proceedings, according to official data released by the Public Prosecution. DR ‹ › The year 2024 saw a significant increase in the number of prosecutions against professional journalists under Law 88.13 on press and publication. While only 21 journalists were prosecuted in 2023, the figure rose sharply to 52 in 2024, according to the annual report of the Public Prosecution on the implementation of criminal policy for the year. The Public Prosecution attributes this rise to an increase in violations of the Press and Publication Law, as well as to a growing tendency among affected parties to seek judicial rulings against accused journalists. The report also notes, however, that a considerable number of alleged violations never reach the courts, either because complainants do not pursue legal action or because complaints are withdrawn during the investigation phase. An analysis of the origins of these cases shows that the overwhelming majority of prosecutions, 46 out of 52, were initiated following direct complaints lodged by affected parties with the competent judicial authorities. In contrast, cases initiated automatically by the Public Prosecution itself did not exceed two. According to the report, this trend reflects the Public Prosecution's commitment to the directives of criminal policy calling for restraint in initiating proceedings against professional journalists, while allowing affected parties to pursue alternative legal remedies. Exceptions are made only in cases explicitly provided for by law or when the alleged acts constitute a serious violation of individual rights, public security, or public order. Dominance of Digital Media The report also reveals that public prosecutor's offices at primary courts received a total of 137 publication declarations in 2024. Of these, 43 concerned print periodicals, while 94 related to electronic newspapers. These figures, the report explains, reflect the continued dominance of digital media in Morocco's national media landscape. Online journalism accounted for 68% of all declarations, compared to 32% for print publications, confirming the growing shift by media actors toward digital platforms as a central and widely accessible form of communication. During the same period, the Public Prosecution recorded only one objection to an amended declaration for an electronic newspaper, due to its failure to meet the legal requirements set out by law. Finally, in accordance with Article 24 of the Press and Publication Law, which provides for penalties against those who publish periodicals or electronic newspapers without a prior declaration, or on the basis of a declaration that has lost its legal validity, 2024 saw ten prosecutions against violators of these provisions, all of which resulted in convictions.
