Last but not least: Other countries, other problems
In many countries, paid newspapers are currently struggling with a decline in readership caused by commuter papers and the rise of electronic media. In Morocco, Al Massae—the country’s largest newspaper, with a circulation of 100,000 copies—faces an existential threat for entirely different reasons.
In many countries, paid newspapers are currently battling a decline in readership caused by commuter papers and the rise of electronic media. In Morocco, Al Massae, the country's largest newspaper with a circulation of 100,000 copies, has to fear for its existence for completely different reasons. As the SDA reported on Thursday, it was sentenced this week to pay the highest damages in the country's press history. It has to pay a total of six million dirhams (equivalent to 800,000 Swiss francs) in damages to four public prosecutors.
On Thursday, the court of appeal in the capital Rabat confirmed a ruling by the court of first instance and ordered the newspaper and its editor-in-chief Rachid Ninny to pay damages. The newspaper must also pay a fine of around 16,000 francs and publish the court's decision nationwide.
Why? In November 2007, the newspaper had reported on a celebration of homosexuals in the village of Ksar El Kebir in northern Morocco and claimed that a public prosecutor from the local court - who, it should be noted, was not named - had also attended the party.
The court's four public prosecutors then sued the newspaper for defamation. The first-instance verdict against the newspaper triggered a wave of protest in the Moroccan press. After the verdict in March, the organization "Reporters Without Borders" declared that it was shocked. The payment of damages endangered the continued existence of the paper. The independent newspaper Al Massae was founded just two years ago.
On Thursday, the court of appeal in the capital Rabat confirmed a ruling by the court of first instance and ordered the newspaper and its editor-in-chief Rachid Ninny to pay damages. The newspaper must also pay a fine of around 16,000 francs and publish the court's decision nationwide.
Why? In November 2007, the newspaper had reported on a celebration of homosexuals in the village of Ksar El Kebir in northern Morocco and claimed that a public prosecutor from the local court - who, it should be noted, was not named - had also attended the party.
The court's four public prosecutors then sued the newspaper for defamation. The first-instance verdict against the newspaper triggered a wave of protest in the Moroccan press. After the verdict in March, the organization "Reporters Without Borders" declared that it was shocked. The payment of damages endangered the continued existence of the paper. The independent newspaper Al Massae was founded just two years ago.
