International Federation for Journalists opens in Rabat
The International Journalists’ Network reported this week that the International Federation for Journalists (IFJ), an organization which defends press freedom amongst other activities, has opened an observatory for press freedom in Morocco. According to IFJ, “the observatory will provide instant and extensive information on events and activities concerning Arab journalists and will publish reports and statistics, commission surveys and undertake studies on all aspects of journalism in the Arab world.”
This is fantastic news, given the events of the past few years - Morocco needs its own watchdog agency!
Read the whole IFJ article here.
July 17th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Indeed! Since the only thing the “décideurs” care about is whether El Pais or Le Monde will write disparagingly about “leplubopaysdumonde”, having an international NGO devoting an observatory to press freedom in Morocco, or the lack thereof, is to be applauded. But the problem is of course wider than that - and we cannot count on foreigners to do our work for us - just think of Mohamed Bougrine, the 72-years old jailed for voicing his support for constitutional reform…
July 18th, 2007 at 12:27 am
this IS good news.
July 18th, 2007 at 12:47 am
Indeed Ibn Kafka - what Morocco really needs is someone to defend the defenders (like Bougrine)!
But in all seriousness, you’re right, and so perhaps this initiative will simply encourage the Moroccan activists further.