NIchane trial to get underway

The government must promote pluralism. It cannot decide to ban publications because some people take offence at a particular article. To do so has a chilling effect on press freedom in Morocco."

The trial of the Nichane editor and one of its journalists is proving to be a problem for the Moroccan government. Caught between modernisation and reform on one hand, and a rising Islamist vote on the other, leaves the government little room to move.

The Nichane incident - where the satirical magazine published jokes common on the streets - has provoked international debate over the issue of Moroccan press freedom.

Nichane magazine's editor, Driss Ksikes and journalist Sanaa al-Ajiare are accused of defaming Islam and damaging public morality. The response of the authorities flew in the face of recent moves to free up the press as they quickly closed the magazine down and withdrew copies of it from newspaper stands. The two accused face up to five years in jail and hefty fines if they are convicted.

Condemnation came from around the world with the General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists summing up widely held opinion. "The prosecution of journalists for attempting to provide a serious analysis of Moroccan culture is a blatant attack on press freedom. The government must promote pluralism. It cannot decide to ban publications because some people take offence at a particular article. To do so has a chilling effect on press freedom in Morocco."

According to a BBC report - The journalists, who have received death threats, say they were not making fun of religion, but merely trying to see what light the jokes shed on Moroccan society. They are supported by international organisations such as Reporters Without Frontiers, which says this is a serious blow for press freedom.

But the government does not see it that way, and says that attacking religion is one of the most serious offences a journalist can commit. Since the death of the previous king, Morocco has been undergoing a period of modernisation and media reform has been part of that process.

However, this case may turn back the clock to the days when Moroccans had to be very careful about what they said.

It is to be hoped that the Moroccan government does not bow to reactionary forces in the country and continues with media reform. The trial, that gets underway this week, will be closely watched both inside and outside Morocco.

See also: Top Ten jokes backfire
Nichane - the view from Beruit.
Morocco loses the plot over Nichane trial


Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news