Moroccan authorities ban access to information documentary public screening

On 10 September 2013, Transparency Maroc applied for permission from the Mayor’s Office of Rabat to screen a documentary on corruption which was filmed in Morocco, Palestine, Egypt & Yemen. A copy of the documentary was provided along with the application as well as a shooting permit which the Moroccan Cinematography Centre (CCM) issued in April 2013.

The film was due to screen as part of the scheduled program for the launch of the access to information day in Hassan Moulay Square in Rabat on Saturday 21 September 2013 at 8.30pm with the presence of several youth from participating Arab countries in the project.

On Friday 20 September, on the eve of the scheduled event, we received a phone call telling us that the documentary was banned from being publicly screened.

In light of the unexplained decision that was delivered via a phone call, the Executive Committee decided to postpone the screening of the film and to investigate further the reasons for this ban and despite the insistent demands for a specific reason for the ban, the local authorities have not provided any explanations.

Transparency Maroc publicly and vigorously denounces this arbitrary act.

The documentary film clips are available at this link : http://action.transparency.org

For any press enquiries please contact

Fouad Zirari
Transparency Maroc
T: +212 537 778 001
E: [email protected]