Morocco: Hanane Bakour Sentenced and Fined for Facebook Post
Bakour convicted for “publishing fake news” on country’s ruling party
Location: Morocco, Sale
Date: April 10, 2023Update: February 12, 2024
Women Press Freedom stands in unwavering support of Moroccan journalist Hanane Bakour, who has been subjected to an unjust legal ordeal for simply exercising her right to freedom of expression. The recent verdict imposing a one-month suspended imprisonment and a nominal fine upon Bakour for a Facebook post criticizing Morocco's ruling party, is a stark reminder of the precarious state of press freedom in Morocco. We are deeply troubled by the persistent legal harassment faced by Hanane Bakour over two years, compelling her to endure roughly twenty court sessions. We urge the Moroccan judicial system to overturn this unjust verdict against Hanane Bakour and to cease the legal harassment against her to send a signal that politicians cannot abuse legislation to prosecute journalists who speak critically of their actions.
On February 12, 2024, the Court of First Instance imposed a one-month suspended imprisonment and a fine of 500 dirhams (approximately US$50) on journalist Hanane Bakour. She was also ordered to pay the National Rally of Independents (RNI), Morocco’s ruling party, a symbolic compensation of one dirham, the equivalent of $0.27.
Bakour was convicted of “publishing fake news by using electronic means that harm private life.”
The charges stemmed from a 2021 Facebook post where the journalist criticized the RNI party for holding a local election after a politician due to run in the election was critically injured by a gunshot. Morocco's ruling party filed the complaint against her.
The suspended sentence means Bakour will not serve jail time unless she commits another punishable offense within five years. Bakour's trial stretched over two years, spanning roughly twenty sessions. The journalist was forced to attend monthly court sessions after the charges were brought against her.
Bakour says the National Rally of Independents (RNI) leader and Prime Minister of Morocco, Aziz Akhannouch was responsible for the charges. She accused the Prime Minister of using his power and wealth to silence her.
“In today's session, it was confirmed by tangible and conclusive evidence that the head of government is behind the complaint against me,” the journalist wrote after a court hearing in April 2023, referring to the signature of Akhannouch shown on a document presented in court.
“Tangible and conclusive evidence (shows) the head of government is behind the complaint against me”
“Akhannouch: You have a party, authority, and money that you can use to gain power over whomever you want,” she wrote, addressing the Prime Minister. “Except for the voice of a lover of freedom...a voice that is ready to confront you alone because I believe in my right to freedom and the right of my country to live, and this faith is stronger than every weapon.”
Hanane Bakour has worked as a journalist for seventeen years. She was previously the editor of the online website alyaoum24.com and worked with several Moroccan outlets, including Akhbat Al Youm, Al Massae, and Al Jarida Al Oukhra.
Amnesty International condemned the trial and called for “trumped-up charges” against Bakour to be “dismissed immediately and the case against her dropped.”
States using “fake news” laws to target journalists
There is a worrying trend of governments weaponizing vague “fake news” legislation to limit freedom of expression and harass journalists.
In 2023, CFWIJ identified several cases where states have targeted women journalists with these laws, including Malawi, Turkey, and Russia. Governments are abusing their powers to intimidate and hinder critical journalists.
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the conviction of Hanane Bakour. We call on the Sale court to overturn this unjust verdict. The legal harassment of the journalist must end immediately. Journalists should be free to express themselves and report without fear of imprisonment.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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