TelQuel magazine

Morocco has just cracked down on TelQuel, one if its more adventurous political magazines, according to this blogger:

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.
...
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.

Don't know much more about it, but it sure fits the pattern.  On the other hand, our friend Lounsbury is usually quick to defend Maghrebi governments against these criticisms, so maybe he'll offer some context here.

Comments

[The Lounsbury]

Quick?

I am simply cynical in regards to the situ.

As for Tel Quel, well, has been a bit on the edge.

[The Lounsbury]

Okay, I commented.