Reporters Without Borders has called on the Moroccan authorities to put an end to harassment of local and foreign media in Western Sahara and allow them to work normally.
At least ten journalists have been attacked, detained or even expelled from the city of Laayoune, 1,263 kilometres south of Rabat, since the beginning of April 2005.
"It is essential that the Moroccan authorities set out a clear framework for journalists covering Western Sahara, avoiding indirect control methods such as having to inform the interior ministry prior to their arrival in Laayoune", the Paris-based organization said.