Latest news with #MohamedMehdiBensaid
Ya Biladi
an hour ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan House passes bill to reform National Press Council
The House of Representatives passed Bill 026.25 on Tuesday during a legislative session, with 87 votes in favor, 25 against, and no abstentions. The bill, which aims to reorganize the National Press Council (CNP), was adopted by a majority vote. 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.
Morocco World
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Morocco Signs Agreement with WIPO to Legally Protect Its Cultural Heritage
Rabat – Morocco has taken an important step to protect its rich cultural heritage. The Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Daren Tang, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva on Monday. This new agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between Morocco and WIPO in the field of intellectual property, especially when it comes to copyright, related rights, and the legal protection of Moroccan cultural heritage. The agreement also allows Morocco to benefit from WIPO's expertise and introduces new legal concepts such as resale rights and reproduction rights, using the WIPOCONNECT system. One of the main highlights of the agreement is the promotion of the 'Label Maroc,' a mark of excellence that will help Morocco promote and protect its heritage internationally. The ministry said in a statement that thanks to this deal, elements of Moroccan heritage such as the caftan and zellige will be protected under international intellectual property law. This will allow Morocco to legally defend its cultural creations if they are copied or misused. Fighting cultural appropriation While UNESCO gives countries international recognition of cultural elements as part of humanity's shared heritage, WIPO provides the legal recognition that helps countries like Morocco fight back in cases of cultural appropriation or theft. This agreement means that if a country or company tries to use Moroccan traditions without permission or respect, Morocco can now take legal action with the support of WIPO. The signing of the agreement Minister Bensaid also held talks with WIPO's Director General about strengthening the partnership between Morocco and the organization. They discussed plans to exchange experiences and host expert visits to support Moroccan artists and creators. Morocco has a rich and diverse culture known around the world, from the colorful caftan and the intricate zellige, to Gnaoua music, and traditional cuisine. In recent years, however, Morocco has faced multiple cases of cultural appropriation, where foreign fashion brands or influencers used Moroccan designs, symbols, or clothing styles without giving credit or understanding their history. For example, international fashion houses have used Moroccan-inspired patterns in their collections without acknowledging their origin. In some cases, Moroccan crafts have even been marketed as products from other countries. To fight this, Morocco has been working to register its heritage legally, both nationally and internationally. This includes adding cultural elements to UNESCO's list of intangible heritage and now, through WIPO, giving them legal protection. Tags: Cultural AppropriationCultureMoroccan Culture
Ya Biladi
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco steps up fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods
Morocco has taken proactive measures to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, said Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, on Monday in Rabat. Speaking at the opening of an international conference on «The Role of Customs in the Fight Against the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Goods», Bensaid emphasized that such items «are not merely artifacts or works of art, but living testimonies of successive civilizations, a collective memory of humanity, and invaluable treasures that symbolize human creativity and civilizational interaction over the centuries». «We have worked to strengthen our legal and regulatory framework in line with relevant international conventions, particularly the 1970 UNESCO Convention», he noted. The ministry has also ramped up efforts in digitization and the inventorying of cultural assets considered the first line of defense against theft and smuggling. He added that a new law has come into force, introducing key provisions aimed at curbing practices that threaten cultural heritage. On the operational front, Bensaid underlined the importance of «enhancing the capacities of security and judicial systems in investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of these crimes, in close collaboration with international security bodies and partner institutions». He also highlighted that numerous cultural restitution operations have been carried out in partnership with countries such as the United States and Chile. In the same vein, Bensaid pointed to several additional measures aimed at developing joint strategies and practical solutions, such as combating black markets, increasing oversight of art auctions, and launching initiatives to support affected countries in protecting their heritage and reclaiming stolen items. These efforts, he added, also involve harnessing new technologies, including artificial intelligence and blockchain, to trace and catalog cultural goods at their source. He stressed the importance of education and cultural engagement in raising awareness among younger generations about the protection of heritage.
Morocco World
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Steps Up Efforts in Battle Against Cultural Property Trafficking
Berlin — Morocco has taken decisive action to confront the illegal trade of cultural property. The announcement came Monday in Rabat, where Minister of Youth, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, opened the work of an international conference dedicated to the role of customs in this global fight. Bensaid described Morocco's approach as both firm and forward-looking. Morocco, he said, views its cultural heritage not as a collection of objects, but as a reflection of human civilization. 'These treasures carry the memory of humanity,' he stated, 'and bear witness to the creativity and dialogue that have shaped our world.' International criminal networks continue to exploit conflict zones, legal loopholes, and gaps in technology to smuggle cultural artifacts across borders. Morocco, in response, has focused on tightening its legal arsenal in line with international agreements, including the 1970 UNESCO Convention. The minister noted the importance of digital tools and documentation in the protection of heritage. Cataloging cultural assets, he said, now forms the first line of defense against theft and smuggling. A new national law has come into force, introducing fresh restrictions aimed at shutting down harmful practices that threaten cultural property. On the ground, Morocco works to boost the capacity of its security and judicial systems. Morocco's intensified efforts to safeguard its cultural heritage send a clear and defiant message to Algeria, which has repeatedly attempted to appropriate iconic elements of Moroccan identity. From falsely claiming the caftan to rebranding the intricate zellige tilework, Algeria has engaged in a calculated campaign to distort historical truth and erase Morocco's cultural legacy. These provocations have not gone unnoticed. Bensaid called for deeper cooperation with international partners to ensure proper investigation and prosecution of cultural crimes. Recent operations with countries such as the US and Chile have already led to the recovery of stolen heritage items. The minister did not hold back when describing the damage caused by illicit trafficking. He called it an attack on collective memory, a force that strengthens terrorism and organized crime, and a direct obstacle to sustainable development. The problem, he said, requires more than institutional response. Raising awareness must reach beyond experts and authorities. Society at large, citizens, educators, civil institutions, must understand what is at stake. 'Cultural property crosses borders,' he warned, 'and the crimes committed against it do not stop at any frontier.' The conference, organized by ICESCO in cooperation with Qatar's General Authority of Customs and the National Library of Qatar, brings together specialists from around the world. Over the course of the week, participants will take part in high-level meetings and a regional workshop, including two targeted training sessions. These focus on core skills in cultural protection and the customs technologies used to safeguard heritage. Bensaid emphasized the need for shared strategies. Morocco supports global efforts to close black markets, monitor art auctions, and assist conflict-affected countries in recovering their stolen heritage. New technologies, including AI and blockchain, now play a key role in tracking and preserving these assets. He also stressed the importance of passing this responsibility to future generations. 'The protection of cultural heritage is not only a duty,' he said, 'but a long-term investment. We must act together, now, to ensure these symbols of civilization remain within reach for those who come after us.'
Ya Biladi
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco to draft new law on the National Press Council, Communication Minister says
The Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, announced on Monday in the House of Representatives the drafting of a new law concerning the National Press Council (CNP). The draft has been reviewed by the government in terms of form, while its content will be discussed with industry professionals as part of the profession's self-regulation process. Responding to questions about the self-regulation of the press sector, the minister explained that the lessons drawn from the self-regulation experience have informed the drafting of this text, with the aim of producing «a law that guarantees self-regulation and the moralization of the press profession». Bensaid elaborated on the self-regulation experience that led to the establishment of the CNP, describing it as «far more than an administrative measure», but rather «a reflection of a profound awareness that press freedom, as enshrined in the Constitution, can only be realized through self-regulation mechanisms». He stressed that self-regulation is designed to reinforce press freedom and uphold the constitutional right to practice the profession. He also highlighted that Article 28 of the Constitution underscores the importance of organizing the press sector on democratic foundations. Self-regulation, he continued, seeks to protect the profession from unethical or unprofessional practices that could damage its reputation, including fake news, disinformation, and other harmful behaviors. Bensaid concluded by emphasizing that self-regulation is not solely the responsibility of journalists, but a shared societal concern, given that the press serves society as a whole.
