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The conflict between Morocco and Western Sahara has triggered a systematic attempt to control media reports related to the confrontation. When it comes to freedom of the press, the 2016 RFS's 2016 World Freedom Index has ranked Morocco in the position 131, out of a total of 180 countries evaluated.

The Moroccan authorities have systematically detained reporters during demonstrations, both Saharawi and Foreign. The government has established controlled media platforms, limiting the work of journalist and media personnel.

Many journalists that portray protests against the Moroccan government, calling for social justice and political rights, were either expelled from the country or even imprisoned. Once detained, many journalists, bloggers, and protesters faced unfair trials, as authorities utilize the Penal Code provisions on insult and on incitement to protest or rebellion to imprison them. Terrorism charges have even been used to prosecute journalist and activists. There have been many reports of torture in detention, human rights violations, excessive force and even death sentences.

History of the conflict western Sahara/Morocco

Western Sahara become a Spanish colony in 1884. After the rise of nationalist movements in Africa, Morocco became independent from France. The Moroccan government soon showed intentions of initiating  “Greater Morocco” in which they claimed certain territories of Africa including Western Sahara. Mauritania also claimed the territory, but in 1967 the UN stated the decolonization of the territory. In 1968, The Movement for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Wadi el Dhahab was pursued by Sid Brahim Basiri. On May 10^th, 1973 the Polisario Front (Movement Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro) was created. Then later on, the International Court of Justice, demanded the self-determination of the territory. After this decision became official, the former king of Morocco Hassan II decided to proceed with what he called as the “Green march”. 300.000 Moroccan civilians crossed the border to Western Sahara forcing the Sahrawis to leave to Algeria where they became refugees until now. On the 27th of February of 1976, The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is proclaimed by the Polisario Front. The war remained in action, and SADR (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) kept growing as a state. Soon enough, this state became more recognized internationally.

After 13 years of war, Morocco and SADR finally reached an agreement to celebrate a referendum under the supervision of the UN and the OUA. Until now, the referendum has not been celebrated yet since Morocco has proposed an autonomy plan for Western Sahara which is totally rejected by the Polisario Front.

Current situation

To our current day, this conflict is still halted. The Polisario Front refuses to accept any solution rather than a referendum, and Morocco does not accept any solution rather than the autonomy plan. Half of the Sahrawi people remain refugees in Algeria since 1973, and the other half is in Western Sahara under Moroccan control. In the past few years, large protests taken place in Western Sahara, against Morocco, have created major uprisings in which Moroccan authorities have violated human rights according to Amnesty international and Human Rights Watch.

Chronological testimonies and cases

The confrontation has triggered control from the Moroccan government over media production in the Western Saharan Area. There have been multiple cases of media and freedom of press repression. Both Saharawi and Foreign journalist are and have been expelled from the country or imprisoned, due to the government´s strict policies.

"The Western Sahara issue is among the most sensitive issues for journalists in Morocco. Those of us who dare to tackle it inevitably face the consequences” – Spanish journalist Luís de Vega, expelled in 2010 after spending eight years based in Rabat and declared persona non grata by the Moroccan authorities.

“We have to work really hard and risk a lot to be able to counterbalance the propaganda spread by Rabat about everything happening here,” - Khatari, a 24-year-old journalist.

In November 2012, Morocco’s interior ministry claimed to have expelled 19 foreign journalists from the annexed land of Western Sahara.  Journalists were reported to be planning to meet with “separatist” forces to commemorate the brutal force used by police. They were brutally expelled by police and banned from coming back.

In October 2016, the French freelance journalist Camille Lavoix was detained and deported from Dakhla, Western Sahara. As she was reporting for the M le Magazine, her communications were suspended, making her the fifth foreign journalist deported in 2016.

“There are no news agencies based here and foreign journalists are denied access, and even deported if caught inside,” stressed Ahmed Ettanji, a young Saharawi media volunteer.

By detaining reporters during demonstrations, the Moroccan authorities make life impossible for media personnel, and to maintain an arbitrary control of reporting in this territory. Journalists tend to visit the country as supposed tourists, in order to hide from the Moroccan government, and end up expelled due to the restrictions imposed.

The Polisario monopolizes political discourse in the camps. Opposition to its fundamental goal of political self-determination for Western Sahara is rarely heard. Official media of the SADR do not give voice to critical or dissident viewpoints. In this new era, the National Council for Human Rights was established, which took care of this subject. With all these efforts, Morocco is still being criticzed by international human rights organizations periodically," said Jawad Kardudi, the director of Institutes of Foreign Relation of Morocco. The present situation remains under control of the Moroccan government. It seems to have no where to advance to, due to strict control and brutal police force.