Seminar qualifies as 'excessive' decision to ban Lmrabet from reporting

A seminar of Mediterranean journalists described, in Ameria, Spain, Saturday, as "excessive" the Moroccan justice's decision last Tuesday to ban the Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet from reporting for 10 years.

Controversial Lmrabet, also condemned to pay 50,000 dirhams ($5825) in damages, was sued for defamation by Ahmed Khar, spokesperson of the Association of Relatives of Saharawi Victims of Repression (PASVERTI).

The seminar noted, however, that the freedom of speech and respect of what is right and wrong in the profession are intertwined.

"We are aware that the freedom of speech and respect of ethics, inspired by the duty to transmit true information (...), are undividable," underlined a resolution adopted by participants.

Mediterranean journalists also expressed solidarity with "Moroccan journalists in their collective struggle for democratising the practice of the profession."