Zawaya

Freedom of expression: A dream forever cherished

By: Mohamed Mohamedou Khattat

All Maghreb authorities promote the idea that “everything is nice and beautiful”, as if they admit – not without sly pride – that “the freedom of the press and the citizen’s right to information are inalienable rights.”

However, to apply this law and protect the citizen’s right to information, there is a line that the authorities never cross, and which means in their book an apocalyptic end.

The irony of the situation lies in the fact that we don’t lack professionals or diversity in the media: local television channels proliferate, and there are many radios, paper and electronic newspapers. However, this superficial diversity is not a manifestation of freedom of expression, and even less of the press: it is a mere policy of “just shut up and look pretty”.

As a matter of fact, this diversity is not a synonym of plurality, and is rather set up to comfort the authority in power. Moreover, it is common knowledge that these media outlets are brought to heel in most Arab Maghreb countries, and that those who resist the authorities bear heavy consequences. Stealing a lady’s purse was enough of a pretext to imprison the editor of a newspaper; he was not even imprisoned for a violation of the principles of Islam, the credibility of the State, public interest or public order and security.

This probably explains the low rankings of Arab Maghreb countries in the Reporters without Borders annual report 2010 on the freedom of the press worldwide: Mauritania (77th), Morocco (97th), Algeria (126th), Tunisia (148th) and Libya (152nd).

Yet, other than the official press, there is an independent and private press in the region. However, in order for it to survive against the powerful State media and to play its role as the watchdog of society, and even as an opposing-force against the authorities, this private press should first gain the freedom of access to information (which is not granted offhand), and then have the freedom to express itself independently without fearing lawsuits or censorship (which cannot be ensured unless the powers that have been in place for many generations change).

Private press cannot own the same means that the State press does, and is facing its own financial hurdles that hinder its “freedom”. Besides, public support is not within reach, and advertising – which is the main source of funding for the private press – depends on the willingness of advertisers, which consist primarily of the State. The private press sometimes sells its soul to the devil.

This means that freedom of expression – seen from this angle of the private press – is not yet an intrinsic reality for Maghreb society, and still remains a dream that’s forever cherished by Maghreb peoples.