Go to Morocco. Publish a magazine cover making fun of the hereditary monarchy that rules the country (left). End up in jail. Do not pass go. Go directly to jail. With a three year sentence (right).
Ali
Lmrabet
in
his
jail
cell (r)
and
the
article
that
got
him
in
trouble.
There is no space for direct critique - even through satire - of the monarchy in Morocco.
In the end, journalist and publisher Ali Lmrabet was pardoned by Morocco's king, Muhammad VI, seven months after being sentenced for "insulting the king" and "undermining the monarchy." But his fine of $2,500 was not reduced and his magazines remain closed.
The message is clear: Monarchy mocking is a big-time no-no. But here in the blogsphere, we're safe to make fun of Morocco's King Muhammad:
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