Reporters without Borders (RWB) have denounced the conditions that surround media coverage in Al Hoceima. In a communiqué, the NGO that promotes and defends freedom of information and freedom of speech «denounces the abuses directed at journalists who have reported the demonstrations that have shaken the Rif since the death of the fish seller Mohcine Fikri in a dumpster in October 2016». «Since the 26th of May, journalists and journalist-citizens, who have tried to report the manifestations in the region, were targeted by authorities», reveals the organization Which said it had recorded two arrests, three disappearances and the expulsion of an Algerian journalist, Jamal Alilat, a major reporter for the daily El Watan. RWB mentions also Mohamed Al Asrihi and Jawad Al Sabry, who work for Rif24 and Abd Al Ali Haddou, host of AraghiTV webTV. «They have disappeared since 26th of May scared of being prosecuted and sentenced». Houssein Al Idrissi, a photographer who works for Rif Press and Fouad Assaidi from AgwarTV were both arrested on 2èth of May in Al Hoceima and were immediately transferred to Casablanca for investigations conducted by the National brigade of judicial police, the NGO indicates. «It is essential to let journalists and journalist-citizens report the event in the Rif», recalls Virgine Dangles chief editor of the RWB. «We urge the Moroccan authorities to set free the Moroccan Journalist-citizens currently detained in order to practice their right of informing, and stop threatening them.»
