Freedom of expression in Morocco remains problematic. During the last years, there have been several cases of imprisonment of journalists who expressed critical opinions on the monarchy or the Western Sahara conflict and many journalists therefore practice self-censorship. According to the Reports without Boarders’ Freedom of Press Index 2011-2012, Morocco figures in the last 50 rankings. The European Union is already supporting activities which aim to improve this situation and the SDC joins these efforts. The current project aims to launch an inclusive debate on the future of the Moroccan media and to broaden the perceptions of media diversity and freedom of expression of key actors and civil society groups. The project is offering a set of roundtables and workshops to journalist and civil society representatives as well as producing video clips of statements of Moroccan citizens.

The project in brief

Directorate/federal office responsible	SDC
Credit area	Development cooperation
Project partners	Contract partner International or foreign NGO Other international or foreign NGO North
Budget	Current phase Swiss budget CHF    112’451 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    112’451
Project phases	Phase 2 21.06.2013 - 31.08.2016   (Completed) Phase 1 01.03.2012 - 31.05.2013   (Completed)

Further technical details

• Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation	GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
  Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation	Legal and judicial development Human rights
  Cross-cutting topics	Specific project on gender equality. The project takes account of democratisation, good governance and human rights as cross-cutting themes.
  Type of support	Official development assistance (ODA)
  Type of collaboration	Bilateral cooperation
  Finance type	Aid grant
  Aid Type	Project and programme contribution
  Tied/untied aid	Untied aid
  Project number	7F08337