UPDATED ON:
Saturday, July 12, 2008
11:16 Mecca time, 08:16 GMT
 
News Africa
Al Jazeera Morocco chief fined

Rachidi, left, had quoted a human rights
activist while reporting the deaths [AFP]

A Moroccan court has fined Hassan Rachidi, Al Jazeera's Rabat bureau chief, $6,000 over coverage of a protest last month.

The verdict on Friday came after Rachidi was charged with publishing false information after the channel aired a report in which a human rights activist claimed that security forces had killed protesters in the south of the country.

The government has denied anyone being killed during the demonstrations over rising food prices in the port city of Sidi Ifni.

Ibrahim Sabelail, the Moroccan rights activist who initially told journalists about the alleged abuses in Sidi Ifni last month, was sentenced on Thursday to six months' jail and a fine 1,000 dirhams ($137).

Sabelail was arrested on June 27 and charged with "insulting the authorities and reporting of fictitious crimes" for reporting deaths at Sidi Ifni and having described police intervention as a "crime against humanity".


Some Moroccan newspapers and other accredited international news organisations broadcast similar reports without a reaction from Moroccan authorities.

Press freedom concerns

About 50 Arab and international human rights organisation appealed on Thursday to the Moroccan judiciary to postpone sentencing in Rashidi's case pending the completion of a fact-finding mission ordered by parliament into the Sidi Ifni event.

The organisations warned against a hurried resolution to the case and the immediate impact it would have on freedom of press in Morocco, saying in a statement that it was imperative that "the judiciary should not be party to a sensitive issue related to gross violations of human rights".

The National Association of Moroccan Press had earlier protested against Rachidi's trial, arguing that the court did not allow him to present all the arguments and evidence to defend himself during his trial.

Rachidi's lawyers withdrew from the case after the court refused to respond to a number of demands including hearing defence witnesses involved in the events of Sidi Ifni, including security officials, headed by the interior minister.

Reporters without Borders, a Paris-based press freedom watchdog, called on Morocco to restore Rachidi's suspended press accredidation, saying: "What was done by the Moroccan authorities constitutes persecution of journalists and highlights the hostile attitude of the Moroccan government toward Al Jazeera and its employees in Morocco."

 Source: Al Jazeera
Feedback Number of comments : 11
 
Youssef atls
Morocco
13/07/2008
To Me Moroccan Nationals (part 3)
Mr Moroccan Nationals. Morocco known as a democratic country. but in fact we live in dictatorial country. security forces and military forces have been invading houses, raping women, hitting men and taking others to the jail.......

Youssef atls
Afghanistan
13/07/2008
To Me Moroccan Nationals (part 6)
Personal, I love to watch Aljazeeera channel because it gives us reliable information and at the same time educate and enlighten us. and I wish the Aljazeera will air again in Moroccoooooooo

Youssef atls
Morocco
15/07/2008
To Mr Moroccan Nationals (part 3)
Mr Moroccan Nationals. Morocco known as a democratic country. but in fact we live in dictatorial country. security forces and military forces have been invading houses, raping women, hitting men and taking others to the jail...

Youssef Atls
Afghanistan
15/07/2008
To Mr Moroccan Nationals (part 6)
and these sources of news seldom do they give false information. Personaly, I love to watch Aljazeeera channel becuse it gives us reliable information and at the same time educates and enlightens us. and I wish Aljazeera will air again from Morocco

carnation
United States
16/07/2008
Al Jazeera's coverage of Sidi Ifni is especially important because there has been so little English language reporting. The west needs solid information not just about the crimes at Sidi Ifni, but of the effects of food shortages.

Moroccan Nationals
United Kingdom
11/07/2008
The fine should have been higher
At last Moroccans have taken a firm stand against this channel of hate and its systematic campaign of prejudice & defamation against Morocco since its foundation. Aljazeera reported wicked lies it should apologize, simple! It may claim it broadcasted the denial of the government but it carried on reporting increase in death toll, from 4to 10+RAPES! As for those obsequious moroccan backbiters that stand by aljazeera only for their own agenda & cheap publicity & fame, shame on them!

Youssef atls
Morocco
13/07/2008
To Me Moroccan Nationals (part 1)
you have talked about biased news in Aljazeer channel and you forgot your prejudicial attitude toward Moroccan government. you actually ignore what going on here, Moroccans are deeply suffering from the oppressive and cruel regime.....

Youssef atls
Morocco
13/07/2008
To Me Moroccan Nationals (part 2)
....Politicians are plundering and stealing the wealth of Morocco, and no one can discuss something with the government or just express a single word. if they do so, the dependent justice would fine them, like what happened to Rachidi.

Youssef atls
Morocco
13/07/2008
To Me Moroccan Nationals (part 4)
because they ask for their right to live in comfort. the explosion of the price of the staple food made huge number of Moroccan population lives under the line of poverty, and they government don't give a damn how to tackle this widespread crisis.

Youssef atls
Morocco
13/07/2008
To Me Moroccan Nationals (part 5)
above all. Moroccan channels always hide the reality from Moroccans. they give us a fake image about events , so that's why people tend to watch foreign channels and read independent newspaper in order to get accurate information, and these sources of news seldom do they give false information.

Youssef atls
Afghanistan
15/07/2008
To Mr Moroccan Nationals (part 5)
Aboce all. Moroccan channels always hide the reality from Moroccans. they give us a fake image about events , so that's why people tend to watch foreign channels and read independent newspaper in order to get accurate information,

 
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