Moroccan authorities ordered journalists from Spanish public broadcaster TVE and the EFE news agency to leave the town of Castillejos, near the border with Ceuta, on Saturday, according to RTVE.es.
The expulsion took place as reporters were covering the arrival of migrants at the Spanish enclave, the outlet reported. RTVE.es said the order came without explanation from Moroccan officials.
The Spanish public broadcaster has rejected the move, defending its journalists' right to report from the border area. RTVE.es said the decision to force its team out of Castillejos was unacceptable and that the outlet stands by its commitment to independent journalism.
Other Spanish media, including EL PAÍS and elDiario.es, also reported on the expulsions, noting that the journalists were told to leave Fnideq, the Arabic name for Castillejos. La Vanguardia added that Moroccan authorities gave no reason for the order.
The incident comes amid heightened attention on migration routes into Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the North African coast. The presence of Spanish reporters in the area had been focused on documenting the movement of people across the border.
RTVE.es has not indicated whether the journalists have left the country or whether they plan to challenge the order. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Moroccan authorities and foreign media covering migration at the border.
What to watch next: Whether Spanish officials respond formally to the expulsion and whether other outlets face similar restrictions in the region.
