Moroccan intelligence uses surveillance to ‘silence’ journalists

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-10-01T15:25:30.357Z • Permanent link

Moroccan intelligence has been using surveillance to silence journalists, according to Amnesty International. The human rights organization has reported that journalists have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, and arrest for their reporting on sensitive topics. One of the most prominent journalists targeted was Mustapha Mhammedi, a Moroccan journalist who was arrested in 2020 for his reporting on the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mhammedi was held in detention for several months before being released.

Al Jazeera's coverage of the situation has been limited, and the network's journalists have faced harassment and intimidation from Moroccan authorities. Amnesty International has called for greater protections for journalists and greater transparency from the Moroccan government. The organization has also reported that journalists have been forced to self-censor their reporting, and that many have been unable to access information and sources due to the lack of trust in the government.

In 2022, the Moroccan government announced plans to introduce new regulations on social media, which critics argued would be used to silence dissenting voices. The regulations, which include provisions for the removal of content deemed "hateful" or "offensive," have been criticized by human rights groups and journalists. Amnesty International has warned that the regulations could be used to stifle free speech and limit the ability of journalists to report on sensitive topics.

The use of surveillance to silence journalists has significant implications for the global media landscape. Journalists and researchers have long been critical of the Moroccan government's human rights record, and this latest development has further eroded trust between the media and the authorities. Companies such as Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg have faced challenges in accessing information and sources in Morocco due to the lack of trust in the government.

The impact on research communities is also significant. Many researchers rely on data and information from Morocco, and the lack of transparency and trust in the government has made it difficult for them to access the information they need. The use of surveillance to silence journalists has also raised concerns about the impact on markets, particularly in the financial sector. The lack of trust in the government has led to increased volatility in the Moroccan stock market, and has raised concerns about the stability of the country's economy.

The use of surveillance to silence journalists is not unique to Morocco. Other countries, such as China and Turkey, have also been criticized for their treatment of journalists. However, the Moroccan government's actions have been particularly egregious, given its history of human rights abuses. The country has a long history of suppressing dissenting voices, and the use of surveillance to silence journalists is just the latest example of this.