Tel Quel is one of Morocco's outstanding magazines. Published weekly, it regularly breaks taboos in its open coverage of all aspects of Moroccan society. The magazine made international headlines with a cover story on King Muhammad VI's salary, and has also published progressive stories on sexuality, religion, and the conflict with the Western Sahara. Tel Quel's editor Ahmed Benchemsi has been recognized with fellowships at the Los Angeles Times and Newsweek.
But while Benchemsi was in the US on a recent fellowship in August, the Moroccan authorities used a novel technique to shut down Tel Quel: a civil case of defamation where the presiding judge did not even allow Tel Quel's lawyer to speak before pronouncing a fine of 1,000,000 dirham ($112,000). The judge declared that Benchemsi would have to go to jail for two months if he fails to pay the fine. 10,000 people from around the world signed a petition supporting Tel Quel in response.Bloggers around the world have taken up the case and you can find the online petition here: Tel Quel Petition
Tags: Morocco, Fes, Tel Quel,
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