Nichane
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Nichane (Moroccan Arabic: نيشان, romanized: Nīshān, lit. 'straight up, direct';[1] formerly Aljareeda Alokhra) was a Moroccan weekly arabophone and darijophone (in Moroccan Arabic) news magazine.
| Editor-in-chief | Driss Ksikes |
|---|---|
| Categories | News magazine |
| Publisher | Ahmed Benchemsi |
| Founder | Ahmed Benchemsi |
| First issue | September 2006 |
| Final issue | October 2010 |
| Country | Morocco |
| Based in | Casablanca |
| Language | Moroccan Arabic Berber |
History and profile
Nichane was published from September 2006[2] to October 2010.[3] Its editor-in-chief was Driss Ksikes.[2]
The magazine was a sister publication of the French-language Tel Quel magazine[3] and was based in Casablanca.[4][5]
Censorship
On 20 December 2006, then Moroccan Prime Minister Driss Jettou issued a statement prohibiting thus the diffusion and distribution of Nichane.[6] This prohibition came as a result of the publishing of "provocative jokes" related to religion, and the late King of Morocco, Hassan II.[2]
Driss Ksikes and another journalist, Sanaa El Aji, were prosecuted for "defaming Islam and damaging morality" and sentenced to fines of 80,000 dirhams each and three-year suspended sentences. Additionally, the magazine was banned for two months.[7] Both journalists defended their article.[8]
In December 2009, police destroyed 100,000 copies of the magazine after it printed an unauthorized opinion poll of Moroccan King Mohammed VI.[9]
In October 2010, publisher Ahmed Benchemsi announced the closure of the magazine, citing an advertiser boycott by royally-owned ONA/SNI holding group.[4][10]