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Morocco's Internet Freedom Rated 'Partly Free' in Freedom House Report
Morocco has been designated as "partly free," scoring 54 out of 100, in the recent "Freedom on the Net" report released by the international NGO Freedom House. This annual evaluation analyzes internet freedom across 72 countries, encompassing nearly 87% of the global online populace. The report categorizes nations into "free," "partly free," and "not free" based on critical metrics such as user rights violations, content restrictions, and access barriers.
In this year's findings, Kyrgyzstan emerged as the country experiencing the most notable decline in internet freedom, while China and Myanmar were cited as having the most repressive online environments globally. Conversely, Iceland maintained its status as the nation with the most "free" online atmosphere, and Zambia achieved the greatest score improvement. Despite these advancements, the report underscores that 2024 marks the 14th consecutive year of a global decline in online freedom, with human rights protections in cyberspace deteriorating in 27 countries, although 18 nations recorded improvements.
Freedom House highlighted that the threat to online freedom of expression has intensified, driven by severe prison sentences and escalating violence. Notably, in three-quarters of the countries surveyed, internet users faced arrest for peacefully voicing their opinions. The report also noted that a record 43 countries documented instances where individuals were targeted or killed due to their online activities.
The situation is exacerbated by internet shutdowns and penalties for online speech, which heighten risks, particularly in nations grappling with armed conflicts. Additionally, pro-government commentators in 21 out of 41 countries studied were found to manipulate online narratives, raising concerns over electoral integrity and eroding public trust in democratic institutions.
Government interference, coupled with a lack of transparency from major social media platforms, has further complicated the work of independent researchers and journalists striving to unveil election-related influence operations. These dynamics present significant challenges in safeguarding the integrity of online spaces.