Comments on: Morocco: From Censorship to Seizure

By: De onafhankelijke pers in Marokko « Señor Canardo

De onafhankelijke pers in Marokko « Señor Canardo — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:06:22 +0000

[...] voorwaardelijke gevangenisstraf en een geldboete wegens een spotprent over de bruiloft van de neef van M6 in Akhbar Al [...]

By: Zalamoka

Zalamoka — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:06:29 +0000

Oops! I didn’t notice that the actual Moroccan flag star is altered. I was totally talking about the carvings on the amaria! In this case, I do believe the changes to the star are flagrantly intentional. I just can’t explain the message behind it?

By: Zalamoka

Zalamoka — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:14:04 +0000

About the Hexagram: Traditionally, a “Amaria” (the wooden platform used to carry the spouses) was made out of beautifully designed carved wood. The hexagram in the picture is very common in Morocco’s architecture and design: See this ceiling here: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lYuRo6OChrpVzkuwFetR8g

We can try to over-interpret the sign. However, I believe that it’s nothing more than a representation of the Moroccan carving found on wooden furniture, ceilings, doors, amarias etc…If you have spent any time in Morocco and visited old houses or mosques, you would know that. Or Am I so naive?

By: Global Voices Advocacy » Morocco: Press Freedoms Backsliding

Global Voices Advocacy » Morocco: Press Freedoms Backsliding — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:00:35 +0000

[...] featuring the prince amongst several 6-pointed stars of David. The Moroccan Interior Ministry condemned the cartoon, calling it “blatant disrespect to a member of the royal family” and stating that the [...]

By: Mohammed El Mniai

Mohammed El Mniai — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:59:49 +0000

If I may say:
the government of morocco allowed the freedom of expression, we are proud of having a very advanced status compared to all the Arab countries. but the freedom should not be misused by some journalist or publications, i have been following the cases sued, believe me noting major to signal in any case it’s just a “Show-off”
I wish our journalist play a complimentary role in this booming morocco, let them follow up on the investments been done, projects launched, laws and rules that will facilitate the lives of Moroccans do researches and advice the government. bring the real stories, let them make caricature of a minister or a head who steals or lazy…. Honestly what value/meaning/message in showing the prince in the AMARIA, {Nothing} and is he a Moroccan to intent to change the flag, these are not Moroccans for me to claim the freedom.

as a country we are Muslim not laic, we are a kingdom not a republic, we should respect our leader and his family. at least he is keeping us all together united.

By: Jillian C. York

Jillian C. York — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:51:00 +0000

I don’t disagree – it very well could be.

By: Morocco attacks media lampooning prince-Global Voices « FACT – Freedom Against Censorship Thailand

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:24:42 +0000

[...] 04-10-09 Morocco: From Censorship to Seizure [...]

By: Manus

Manus — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:06:30 +0000

The difference Morocco is a dictatorship with a masquerade of a parliament full of puppets.

By: Hisham

Hisham — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:32:44 +0000

I personally think the cartoon was indelicate and foolish, but the stunning reaction of the government has struck a new law in the history of harassment of the media in this country: in an unprecedented move, the authorities have disdainfully overlooked the very procedure they, themselves, have established to stifle freedom of expression. Police showed up in front of the newspaper’s headquarters in Casablanca, sealed the offices and prevented any journalist from joining his place of work. When Bouachrine (the director of the banned publication) flanked by his colleagues and activists, including some bloggers we know, asked for a legal justification from the police chief, the authorities couldn’t show any. Morocco is looking more and more like a police state where a newspaper can be blocked regardless of the law. Benchemssi has a brilliant editorial this morning: if the most apparent aspects of repression at the moment seem to be touching primarily the media, one can expect a gradual shift toward a full spectrum dictatorship, where the establishment made up of the powerful and the privileged, wouldn’t tolerate any form of dissent.

By: Annouss

Annouss — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:27:27 +0000

I dream of a Morocco as such that when a cartoon like this one appears, we only have a debate or different opinions about it instead of shutting the newspaper offices and seizing the journal.

You know, we would have only some controversy like the one that occured when The New Yorker relased its cartoon about the Obamas on its cover during the presidential campaign.

By: Cyrax

Cyrax — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:45:27 +0000

it could be also a mere caricature of the royal family protocols and their fondeness for appearance and wealth.

By: Jillian C. York

Jillian C. York — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:06:13 +0000

I somehow doubt that had anything to do with the cartoonist’s intentions.

By: Cyrax

Cyrax — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:06:01 +0000

Actually at the begining of the 20th century the moroccan flag had a star of david on it, instead of the current pentagram. At that time general lyautey removed it.