RSF voices concerns over press freedom in Morocco

07/09/2007

[File] Ménard

Reporters without Borderers (RSF) Secretary-General Robert Ménard voiced concern over press freedom in Morocco, l’Economiste reports. On Wednesday (September 5th) in Casablanca in an open letter to King Mohammed VI, entitled "Your Majesty, One is Free to Comment", Ménard called on the monarch to take responsibility for the recent violations of press freedom in Morocco. According to RSF, since 1999, when the king took the throne, no fewer than 34 press bodies have been censored and 20 journalists have received prison sentences under the terms of the press code, penal code and antiterrorist law.

Ménard cited the trial of Ahmed Benchemsi, director of Arabic-language Nichane and French-language TelQuel, for allegedly showing disrespect to the king, the sentencing of Al Watan Al Aan reporter Mustapha Hormatallah to an eight-month prison term for publishing secret documents and the six-month provisional sentence of Editor-in-Chief Abderrahim Ariri in the same case. Two days before the legislative elections, RSF urged those who are elected to the National Assembly not to approve the proposed reform of the press law. "In its current form, this bill is reactionary and repressive," Ménard said. "We call on the new legislators to embrace this issue and to convey our message to the highest authorities."

In related news Thursday, Moroccan daily Le Matin, which generally reflects the government's position, attacked Ménard for his statement, dubbing him a hypocrite who wants to clear his image and that of his organisation at the expense of Morocco.