The Moroccan League for the Defense of Human Rights has publicly denounced deaths and torture in police custody, poor prison conditions, and failures to investigate the disappearance of some 300 Western Saharan activists during the last decade. The judiciary is subject to corruption and government influence. However, judicial reform has been identified as a high priority of the new government. Measures to increase its independence include investigations into alleged corruption and misconduct. Dozens of judges have been referred to disciplinary panels for punishment.
Press freedom is restricted by laws and political pressures.
The official press agency is government-owned. The press code allows confiscation and censorship of publications for libel, offensive reporting, or national security violations. Both law and tradition prohibit criticism of the monarchy, Islam, and Morocco s claim to Western Sahara. While authorities generally do not abuse these provisions, many journalists practice self-censorship to avoid sanctions. According to the U.S. State Department, there are some 1,800 domestic and foreign newspapers, magazines, and journals available in Morocco, covering the full spectrum of political viewpoints.