Ahmed Benchemsi

Benchemsi attended high school in Casablanca. He spent his freshman years in Rabat's Mohammed V University, before joining Paris 8 University, from which he received a B.A in finance in 1994. He later received an M.A in development economics from the Sorbonne in 1995, and an MPhil in political science from Sciences Po in 1998.

He began as a reporter and polemicist in the Moroccan weekly {{Lang|fr|La Vie Éco}} in 1996. After briefly serving as communication advisor for a cabinet member, he was editor in chief of Téléplus magazine in 1999. After the passing of King Hassan II, he was the correspondent in Morocco for Jeune Afrique magazine. In October 2001, he founded TelQuel, a weekly news magazine of which he became the publisher and editor. Under the editorial line "Morocco As It Is", TelQuel covers monarchy, politics, business and culture and advocates democracy, secularism and individual freedoms. Its independent, liberal stand{{cite web|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/web/recherche_breve/1,13-0,37-1093175,0.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904121256/http://www.lemonde.fr/web/recherche_breve/1,13-0,37-1093175,0.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-04|title=Le Monde.fr : Archives|work=lemonde.fr}} made it since its inception a resolute critic of the Makhzen (autocratic monarchic system) as much as of the Islamists. Both strongly attacked it in return. In 2005, TelQuel became the #1 weekly in Morocco.{{cite web|url=http://ojd.ma/site/ma/chifadh.php?id=40|title=OJD Maroc|work=ojd.ma|access-date=2011-05-02|archive-date=2018-07-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707033624/http://www.ojd.ma/?id=40|url-status=live}}

In 2006, Benchemsi founded Nichane, the Arabic version of TelQuel, defending the same values and editorial line. In 2008, Nichane became the #1 Arabic weekly in Morocco.{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/actualite-medias/article/2010/10/02/nichane-premier-hebdo-arabophone-du-maroc-disparait-victime-d-un-boycott-persistant_1419215_3236.html|title=Au Maroc, le magazine|author=Isabelle Mandraud|work=Le Monde.fr|date=2 October 2010|access-date=2 May 2011|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411201933/https://www.lemonde.fr/actualite-medias/article/2010/10/02/nichane-premier-hebdo-arabophone-du-maroc-disparait-victime-d-un-boycott-persistant_1419215_3236.html|url-status=live}}

In October 2010, after four years of confrontation with the authorities (see section "legal record") Benchemsi was forcibly driven to close Nichane,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/oct/08/morocco-press-freedom|title=The death knell for Morocco's free press|author=Sohrab Ahmari|work=the Guardian|location=London|date=8 October 2010|access-date=10 December 2016|archive-date=5 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505133445/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/oct/08/morocco-press-freedom|url-status=live}} which bankrupted as a consequence of a longstanding advertising boycott campaign,{{cite web|url=http://www.moroccoboard.com/news/34-news-release/4785-arabic-magazine-forced-into-bankruptcy-by-regime-boycott-raising-concerns-about-moroccos-commitment-to-free-press |title=Magazine Forced into Bankruptcy Raising Concerns about Morocco's Commitment to Free Press |work=moroccoboard.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429100328/http://www.moroccoboard.com/news/34-news-release/4785-arabic-magazine-forced-into-bankruptcy-by-regime-boycott-raising-concerns-about-moroccos-commitment-to-free-press |archive-date=2011-04-29 }} orchestrated by companies close to the royal palace.

In December 2010, he quit TelQuel{{Cite web |url=http://www.telquel-online.com/453-454/edito_453.shtml |title=TelQuel : Le Maroc tel qu'il est |access-date=2011-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506215007/http://www.telquel-online.com/453-454/edito_453.shtml |archive-date=2011-05-06 |url-status=dead }} (in order to save it{{cite web|url=http://www.bladi.net/ahmed-reda-benchemsi-telquel.html|title=Ahmed Reda Benchemsi quitte TelQuel|work=Bladi.net|access-date=2011-05-02|archive-date=2016-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008095534/http://www.bladi.net/ahmed-reda-benchemsi-telquel.html|url-status=live}} from following Nichane{{'s}} path, observers{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/oslo-journal-referees-are-gone_560824.html|title=Oslo Journal: 'The Referees Are Gone'|work=The Weekly Standard|access-date=2011-05-27|archive-date=2018-07-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707062524/https://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/oslo-journal-referees-are-gone_560824.html|url-status=dead}} said) and left Morocco to the United States.

Since January 2011, he has been a political science researcher at Stanford University and an op-ed writer for international outlets such as Le Monde,{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2011/03/15/la-sacralite-de-la-monarchie-marocaine-est-un-frein-a-la-democratisation_1493390_3232.html|title=La sacralité de la monarchie marocaine est un frein à la démocratisation|author=Ahmed Benchemsi, fondateur du magazine "TelQuel" et chercheur à l'université de Stanford (Etats-Unis)|work=Le Monde|date=15 March 2011|access-date=4 July 2011|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412174424/https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2011/03/15/la-sacralite-de-la-monarchie-marocaine-est-un-frein-a-la-democratisation_1493390_3232.html|url-status=live}} Time{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2075296,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607224557/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2075296,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 7, 2011|title=Morocco's Revolutionaries: The Crazy Kids Have Grown Up|date=19 June 2011|magazine=Time|first=Ahmed|last=Benchemsi}} and The Guardian.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jun/30/morocco-king-destroy-democracy|title=Morocco's king is destroying hope for democracy|author=Ahmed Benchemsi|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=30 June 2011|access-date=10 December 2016|archive-date=3 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903152406/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jun/30/morocco-king-destroy-democracy|url-status=live}}

TelQuel{{'s}} editorial line got Benchemsi in trouble with the Moroccan authorities, which repeatedly prosecuted him in what Reporters Without Borders rebuked as "judicial harassment".{{cite web|url=http://fr.rsf.org/maroc-le-harcelement-judiciaire-a-l-07-02-2006,16383.html|title=Le harcèlement judiciaire à l'égard de TelQuel continue : l'hebdomadaire de nouveau condamné en appel - Reporters sans frontières|work=rsf.org|access-date=2011-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722182352/http://fr.rsf.org/maroc-le-harcelement-judiciaire-a-l-07-02-2006,16383.html|archive-date=2011-07-22|url-status=dead}}

In December 2006, after a cover story titled "How Moroccans Joke about Religion, Sex and Politics",{{cite web|url=http://fr.rsf.org/maroc-reporters-sans-frontieres-condamne-21-12-2006,20224.html|title=Reporters sans frontières condamne "fermement et sans aucune réserve" l'interdiction de Nichane - Reporters sans frontières|work=rsf.org|access-date=2011-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722182400/http://fr.rsf.org/maroc-reporters-sans-frontieres-condamne-21-12-2006,20224.html|archive-date=2011-07-22|url-status=dead}} Nichane was banned by decision of Prime Minister Driss Jettou. Whereas Benchemsi and Nichane staffers received death threats{{Cite web |url=http://www.telquel-online.com/253/maroc1_253.shtml |title=TelQuel : Le Maroc tel qu'il est |access-date=2011-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405185932/http://www.telquel-online.com/253/maroc1_253.shtml |archive-date=2011-04-05 |url-status=dead }} as much as support letters{{Cite web |url=http://www.telquel-online.com/255/maroc1_255.shtml |title=TelQuel : Le Maroc tel qu'il est |access-date=2011-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215202630/http://www.telquel-online.com/255/maroc1_255.shtml |archive-date=2010-02-15 |url-status=dead }} from all over the world, the then editor-in-chief and the author of the controversial article were sued by the government for "damaging Islam". They were condemned{{cite web|url=http://fr.rsf.org/maroc-le-directeur-de-nichane-condamne-a-15-01-2007,20405.html|title=Le directeur de Nichane condamné à trois ans de prison avec sursis : Reporters sans frontières dénonce une décision scandaleuse - Reporters sans frontières|work=rsf.org|access-date=2011-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722182416/http://fr.rsf.org/maroc-le-directeur-de-nichane-condamne-a-15-01-2007,20405.html|archive-date=2011-07-22|url-status=dead}} to three years suspended prison.

In August 2007, Benchemsi was interrogated over two days in custody about one of his editorials.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSepzcPZbbw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/GSepzcPZbbw |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title=Majeste Que Dites Vous La ?|date=1 September 2007|work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} 100,000 copies of TelQuel and Nichane were seized{{cite web|url=http://fr.rsf.org/maroc-reporters-sans-frontieres-denonce-05-08-2007,23163.html|title=Reporters sans frontières dénonce la saisie des hebdomadaires Nichane et TelQuel pour "non respect du roi" - Reporters sans frontières|work=rsf.org|access-date=2011-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722182442/http://fr.rsf.org/maroc-reporters-sans-frontieres-denonce-05-08-2007,23163.html|archive-date=2011-07-22|url-status=dead}} and destroyed by police forces. Benchemsi was sued{{cite web|url=http://fr.rsf.org/maroc-le-proces-du-directeur-de-tel-quel-03-09-2007,23186.html|title=Le procès du directeur de Tel Quel et Nichane reporté au 7 novembre - Reporters sans frontières|work=rsf.org|access-date=2011-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722182449/http://fr.rsf.org/maroc-le-proces-du-directeur-de-tel-quel-03-09-2007,23186.html|archive-date=2011-07-22|url-status=dead}} for "disrespecting the King", which in Morocco is worthy of five years in prison. One year later, the trial was adjourned{{cite web|url=http://fr.rsf.org/maroc-le-proces-d-ahmed-reda-benchemsi-04-09-2008,28427.html|title=Le procès d'Ahmed Reda Benchemsi reporté sine die par la justice marocaine - Reporters sans frontières|work=rsf.org|access-date=2011-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722182505/http://fr.rsf.org/maroc-le-proces-d-ahmed-reda-benchemsi-04-09-2008,28427.html|archive-date=2011-07-22|url-status=dead}} without verdict.

In August 2009, 100,000 copies of TelQuel and Nichane were seized{{Cite web |url=http://www.france24.com/fr/20090802-maroc-telquel-nichane-gouvernement-saisit-deux-hebdomdaires-publiant-sondages-favorable-roi-mohammed-vi |title=Le gouvernement saisit deux revues ayant publié un sondage sur le roi - FRANCE 24 |access-date=2011-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105060744/http://www.france24.com/fr/20090802-maroc-telquel-nichane-gouvernement-saisit-deux-hebdomdaires-publiant-sondages-favorable-roi-mohammed-vi |archive-date=2012-11-05 |url-status=dead }} again and destroyed by the police, this time because it featured an opinion poll{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2009/08/03/maroc-le-sondage-interdit_1225217_3212.html|title=Maroc : le sondage interdit|work=Le Monde.fr|date=3 August 2009|access-date=2 May 2011|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603145430/https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2009/08/03/maroc-le-sondage-interdit_1225217_3212.html|url-status=live}} on King Mohammed's public record, jointly conducted with the French daily Le Monde. "The King is above polling", said the government spokesman before writing a violent op-ed{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} against the two weeklies. In 2010, the same official, who is also Minister of Information, signed a vehement "open letter to Ahmed Benchemsi".{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

In 1996, Benchemsi received in Casablanca, at the age of 22, the "investigative story award", granted by Morocco's journalists union.

In 2005, he received in Brussels the Lorenzo Natali Journalism Prize,{{cite web|url=http://lorenzonataliprize.eu/|title=Lorenzo Natali Prize - Login|work=lorenzonataliprize.eu|access-date=2011-05-02|archive-date=2011-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503152159/http://lorenzonataliprize.eu/|url-status=live}} granted by the European Commission to "journalists who contribute to the cause of democracy".

In 2007, he received in Beirut the Samir Kassir Award{{cite web|url=http://www.prixsamirkassir.org/contest11-ENG2007.htm|author=Digital ITS|title=Samir Kassir Award | for Freedom of the Press|work=prixsamirkassir.org|access-date=2011-07-18|archive-date=2017-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219095646/http://www.prixsamirkassir.org/contest11-ENG2007.htm|url-status=live}} for Freedom of the Press, granted by the European Union.

Under Benchemsi's supervision, many TelQuel and Nichane journalists received international awards, notably the RFI-Reporters without borders{{cite web|url=http://www.prix-rfi-rsf-oif.org/%7ctitle=prix-rfi-rsf-oif.org%7cwork=prix-rfi-rsf-oif.org|title=prix-rfi-rsf-oif.org}}{{Dead link|date=April 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} prize and the Press Now prize.{{cite web|url=http://pressnow.org/|title=Free Press Unlimited|work=pressnow.org|access-date=2011-05-02|archive-date=2021-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506024027/https://www.freepressunlimited.org/en|url-status=dead}}

Benchemsi completed fellowships in Newsweek and the Los Angeles Times.

He has also given conferences in the Middle-East, Europe, the United States and India on freedom of speech in Morocco, and on Islam and secularism.

• Aboubakr Jamaï
• Ali Anouzla

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=16054 Reporters sans frontieres]
• {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130116063741/http://ahmedbenchemsi.com/ ahmedbenchemsi.com – Personal blog]}}

{{Media in Morocco}}

{{Human rights in Morocco}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Benchemsi, Ahmed}}

Category:Moroccan male journalists

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Category:Living people

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Category:1974 births

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Category:Sciences Po alumni

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