Nichane (meaning "direct" in Moroccan Arabic and Berber:نيشان) (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 |
Nichane was published from September 2006[1] to October 2010.[2] Its editor-in-chief was Driss Ksikes.[1]
The magazine was a sister publication of the French-language Tel Quel magazine[2] and was based in Casablanca.[3][4]
On 20 December 2006, then Moroccan Prime Minister Driss Jettou issued a statement prohibiting thus the diffusion and distribution of Nichane.[5] This prohibition came as a result of the publishing of "provocative jokes" related to religion, and the late King of Morocco, Hassan II.[1]
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.[6] Both journalists defended their article.[7]
In December 2009, police destroyed 100,000 copies of the magazine after it printed an unauthorized opinion poll of Moroccan King Mohammed VI.[8]
In October 2010, publisher Ahmed Benchemsi announced the closure of the magazine, citing an advertiser boycott by royally-owned ONA/SNI holding group.[3][9]