Corruption, freedom and a plea for a change
2007-08-10
Moroccans complain of another episode of press freedom repression, while Algerian bloggers share their views on corruption in the country.
 [Getty Images] Ahmed Benchemsi was charged August 6th with "showing disrespect for the monarchy" |
Moroccan bloggers have complained recently about the censoring of magazines Nichane and TelQuel in early August that resulted in the confiscation of both issues and the investigation of their Editor-In-Chief, Ahmed Benchemsi. Benchemsi was "questioned by police after he published an editorial, in which he criticized the king's speech," wrote Adil Ski, of A Moro in America. "This time it seems Benchemsi's column was too 'daring and insolent' to the personality of the king in the eyes of Driss Jettou's cabinet."
"This affair will probably be echoed by foreign media, despite the holidays … I won't be surprised if the Moroccan government ends up backing down, because a deterioration of the country's image abroad will have strong economic repercussions on the country's development," blogged Laurent Bervas.
"Freedom of expression in Morocco is a myth," blogged Mohammed Slimani. "Episodes of this masquerade come one after another at a speed that makes it impossible to get bored … Bravo dear government! Don't count on my vote in the next legislative elections," concluded the blogger.
Some thought the magazines have gone beyond what is socially acceptable, and as before Mohamed El Kortbi supported "freedom of expression but not insolence".
The same denigration appeared in a response to the aforementioned A Moro in America post. The anonymous commentator wrote: "I used to love Nichane and Tel-quel but I am fed up with always reading more or less the same thing. You are smart; you discuss taboo subjects to increase sales. You have a noble mission and you are using it on futility. I will give you some subjects that could be interesting: why is Morocco busy sending aid and doctors [elsewhere] while Moroccans need help? Why isn't Morocco doing something to stop Moroccan girls from prostituting themselves around the world? Why are Moroccan police and customs agents treating us like dogs at the airport while they treat foreigners better? There are many other subjects."
Next door in Algeria, bloggers debated the latest report on corruption published (July 29th) by the Algerian Association Combating Corruption (AACC), representative of Transparency International in Algeria. According to the report, "the phenomenon is extending to the different levels of the society as well as the administration," quoted blogger and journalist Idir Dahmani.
With its booming economy, the revenue generated by gas exports, the payment of most of its external debt, and almost 50 billion dollars in reserve, Tahia Bladi blogged that the country should be able to take care of its citizens, if it were not for , "corruption that touches every sector, Ministry and public administration." The report discusses an increasing "tarnishing of institutions", such as the All Africa Games, where certain contracts were allegedly awarded out of favouritism.
It is not the first time the phenomenon is debated in the country, wrote Idir Dahmani. But despite the law adopted February 20th, 2006, to prevent and combat corruption, there is an "absence of political will to fight," according to the seven-page report.
Algeria was "ranked 84th" among most corrupted countries by Transparency International in 2006.
According to the petition published by blogger Mohamed Benchicou of Le Matin, Votre Journal Interdit, Algeria's Ministry of Culture is one of the most corrupt. The signatories called the Ministry "a mafia", headed by Minister Khalida Toumi, "a voracious, corrupt woman who treats her senior staff like disposable towels, shame on this country."
On Wednesday (August 8th), "an investigation was opened, not to verify the veracity of the allegations made by senior officials at the Ministry of Culture, but to identify them and reprimand them. Just like they punished all the officials that dared attack [Khalida Toumi]," published Tahia Bladi on behalf of the Ministry of Culture petitioners.
In a post entitled "Corruption: Where is Algeria headed?" Hchicha Blog pleaded with "observers and international institutions not to let the wrongs committed against the people of this part of the world… to go unpunished or unnoticed."
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acharif moulay abdellah bouskraoui Posted 2007-08-10
The problem is that some think that the involvement of foreign press could support their acts in their entirety by publicizing disrespect for our institutions. I would like to tell these people that it is true that the majority of the foreign press could help the journalists who criticize Islam and who sing of European-style freedom, but a press which respects our patrimony, religion and stability has been completely neglected by this European support. Wake up! The majority of foreign NGOs support projects which destabilize the Arab countries.
kader Posted 2007-08-13
Whoever was talking about Algeria and its reserves is late by 3 years. Since 2007, its oil flow is at 100 billion barrels and its international debt is zero. (Check Algeria on Wikipedia.) Understand? Concerning corruption, it is everywhere. In Europe it is not ambiguous, but in Arab countries in particular it is a true disease. However, (they) are saying it is haram (sin). For some this has become licit. To effectively combat corruption, this so-called Algerian Organization to Combat Corruption, which is currently limited to compiling reports that confirm the existence of corruption, must make contact with the justices and other political authorities in this country. The legislators must return to giving severe punishments. Even for one dinar, the sentence should be a 15 year minimum. A ban on back-room contracts and markets that should be completely transparent. When companies finish a project, there should automatically be independent expert review, to establish responsibility in the event of an accident. (For example, in France, the can even scan a residence or a building to verify the thickness of the iron used in construction. We must also invest in technology to effectively fight against corruption. In general, in certain regions of Algeria, new buildings aren't worth a dime. The most serious case is in Sétif. Talking about corruption in newspapers, on television, in web forums and in cafés is worthless; pragmatism is needed. We need to be severe like China and hold ourselves to Western criticism. There is a disease and it needs to be taken care of completely. Otherwise, it is the end of the world for our country. A real war is needed. We must use all material and financial means to found a new institution that would depend directly on the authorities who would be just under the president’s or chief of state’s jurisdiction; even the lowest administrative secretary adds to the importance and the reputation of the entire administration. The administration should be at the service of the citizen, not the reverse. Best regards to everyone in the Maghreb!!!
elmowafi mohamed Posted 2007-08-16
Hi Everyone, I have been living in Tanger since the age of 13. It is horrible how my city lives with such corruption, drugs and dirty money. I do not even understand what they are referring to when I hear our political discourse on the television. I get the impression that they are completely disconnected from the problem faced by our youth. Our youth are just a part of the décor. They just wander around wherever and are forced to steal because they have no other choice. I have lived for 23 years in my parents' home in a common neighbourhood; our children have become violent enough that sometimes I lose my patience and I get afraid that I will get sucked into this violence. Fathers are outdone by their children, who are out on the streets night and day. What can we do, my friends, when faced with such behaviour?... behaviour which is against our religion and our morals. Thank you for listening. My Respects. –Goodbye
RADWAN Posted 2007-08-18
The government's action towards NISHAN have reasons, NISHAN has certainly crossed the line now and then, and I blame it on the lack of experience and creativity with style of its journalists. Chamci and his colleagues are enjoying the publicity I bet (nothing personnel, I'm a committed buyer of NISHAN magz). On the other hand, NATION NOW's court rulings were not fairly justified. Radwan- IFRANE,.
skaychik Posted 2007-09-21
The head of Benchamsi is getting hot.
meryem Posted 2007-10-17
This is great. But, we really do need to fight against economic fraud and so on. Keep up the good work.
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