TelQuel Magazine Faces Government Crackdown - 1,000,000 Dirham Fine

One of the most positive recent developments in Morocco has been the rise of TelQuel Magazine, a French-language weekly publication that regularly push the envelope in shocking ways. Most prominent was a massive cover story a few months ago detailing King Muhammad VI's salary (right). Other taboo-breaking cover stories have included pieces on re-interpreting the Quran, homosexuality in Morocco, and the country's drug sub-culture.

For a while, TelQuel's groundbreaking and thrilling journalism seemed to be a sign of progress toward genuine freedom of expression in Morocco - albeit with an unquestioning respect for the king's right to rule. But yesterday a Moroccan court slapped the magazine with a 1,000,000 Dirham ($112,000, massive by Moroccan standards) fine and arrest warrants for a staff writer and the editor-in-chief if they fail to pay.

The background is quite ridiculous. About two months ago, an opinion column in the magazine criticizing the national parliament noted in passing that one politician was a former dancer. The column didn't mention the legislator by name, but the woman (indeed a former dancer) sued for character defamation. The court - clearly with orders from on high - refused to hear any arguments from TelQuel's lawyer and announced the massive fine. If editor Ahmed Benchemsi (serving as a visiting journalist this month at the LA Times and Newsweek) does not come up with the money, the courts added, he must serve a two-month jail sentence.

This story just broke and has yet to get any play in the US press or from press freedom advocates. But King Muhammad's sudden and arbitrary crackdown on TelQuel signals a chill wind blowing through a Moroccan society that had been rapidly warming on many civil rights issues.

The regime's move comes ironically just as TelQuel published a special double-issue cover story highlighting "100 Reasons to be Optimistic for Morocco" (left). In the magazine's long list, #36 reads: "Writing is free: Freedom of expression is without any doubt the greatest asset (and the most visible) of the Muhammad VI era..."

The irony here is rich and painful. Reading over TelQuel's bubbly list of 100 reasons to be optimistic is infectious. The changes sweeping through Moroccan society - or at least parts of it - may seem rudimentary in the West but are quite remarkable in the region. Reasons include (#98) "women can smoke in the streets"; (#2) "the Queen has a face"; (#6) "some Moroccans refuse to kiss the king's hand"; and (#28) "the disabled are less marginalized."

What TelQuel needs now is for international pressure to come down hard on the Moroccan regime - sending a signal that no step backwards on freedom of expression will be tolerated. If the world can get worked up over Judith Miller, then certainly the potential jailing of TelQuel editor Ahmed Benchemsi in a ridiculous defamation suit should demand our outrage.

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Hello there. I am TelQuel's Ahmed Benchemsi. I just discovered your web site, and what you wrote on our case. I thank you warmly for your help. Over 3.800 people have already signed the support petition. Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any further information

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