Morocco
Al-Jazeera suspended indefinitelyPosted Nov 18 2010
On Oct. 29, Morocco indefinitely suspended the operations of Al-Jazeera within Morocco and withdrew accreditation from Al-Jazeera staff, according to a CPJ report.
The report said that the communications ministry found Al-Jazeera’s coverage “seriously distorted Morocco’s image,” especially regarding the West Sahara territorial dispute. The Moroccan News Agency published a statement that said the station “was determined to broadcast only a negative image of the country.”
Al-Jazeera's bureau chief in Rabat, Abdelkader Kharroubi told AFP that the channel “has always respected the rule of professionalism and neutrality, especially in Morocco.”
This is not the first time Moroccan government has clashed with the Qatar-based news network. In May 2008, Al-Jazeera’ s news bulletin covering parts of North Africa from Rabat was suspended. In July of the same year, then-bureau chief Hassan al Rachidi was convicted of “publishing false information and conspiracy.” He avoided jail time but was fined.
Other Arab countries have banned Al-Jazeera since its inception. The most recent case, prior to Morocco, is Bahrain, which in May 2010 suspended Al-Jazeera operations for “violating professional conventions.” Bahrain had just lifted a five-year ban on the channel in 2007.
The Palestinian National Authority froze the channel’s operations in the West Bank in 2009, alleging incitement and unbalanced reporting. This was lifted a few days later.