Moroccan House passes bill to reform National Press Council
Presenting the bill, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid emphasized that it is not merely a new piece of legislation, but a significant step toward modernizing and developing the country's media landscape. He described it as a key pillar in strengthening the rule of law and upholding the principles of good governance and transparency.
In this context, Bensaid highlighted that self-regulation is intended to promote press freedom while safeguarding the constitutional right to exercise it, citing Article 28 of the Constitution. He stressed that the bill seeks to strike a balance between freedom of the press and the need to respect professional and ethical standards, ensuring that freedom does not lead to anarchy, and that responsibility does not equate to restriction.
The bill also aims to address existing legal gaps, such as by establishing a commission tasked with independently overseeing the electoral process and the appointment of journalists and editors. It additionally proposes a new voting method, introduced at the request of professionals.
The majority parliamentary groups argued that the bill provides essential safeguards for journalists, reinforces the principle of self-regulation, and strengthens Morocco's position among countries that respect press freedom.
However, opposition groups voiced concerns that the bill risks institutionalizing top-down appointments and curtailing journalists' ability to freely elect their representatives within the Council.
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