Editor Ali Anouzla and journalist Bochra Daou of the Moroccan independent daily Al-Jarida al-Oula were detained on Tuesday and held for two days on charges that they had published false news about the King’s health. So what could the false story have said? That he got syphilis from having gay sex? That he had cancer? That he was dying of lung disease? Alas, no. The journalists reported on the King’s alleged contraction of…the flu virus.
The same paper, along with two others, was required to pay a fine of nearly USD 13,000 earlier this year after “harming the dignity” of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi. Each paper was also required to pay 1 million dirhams (approximately USD 125,213) to Qaddafi himself (as if he needs it). You know, because apparently it’s against the law not only to criticize one’s own leader, but also the leaders of other countries.
Other crazy shenanigans that have gotten Moroccan journos and bloggers arrested include:
-Printing jokes told on the Moroccan street
-Criticizing the king’s practice of giving charity to those who publicly praise him
-Creating a fan page for Prince Moulay Rashid on Facebook
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