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Press council reform bill approved in parliamentary committee
The reform bill aimed at reorganizing Morocco’s National Press Council has been approved by the Commission on Education, Cultural and Social Affairs at the House of Councillors. The draft law No. 026.25 was adopted by a narrow majority during a meeting held in the presence of the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid.
The text received six votes in favor and five against, following extensive parliamentary debate. In total, 139 amendments were submitted by various parliamentary groups and independent councillors, reflecting differing views on the future structure and governance of the press sector.
Several proposed amendments focused on the composition of the National Press Council, which is set at 19 members divided into three categories: professional journalists, publishers, and representatives of institutions and regulatory bodies. Suggestions included adopting a list-based voting system for electing journalists and publishers, as well as expanding institutional representation within the Council.
In response, Minister Bensaid defended the current electoral mechanism, stating that it ensures direct individual choice and reinforces accountability toward voters. He also rejected proposals to increase the number of Council members, arguing that the proposed structure strikes a balance between representativeness, transparency and operational efficiency.
The minister further dismissed amendments calling for the inclusion of a preamble in the bill, explaining that legislative drafting standards reserve such introductions for newly created legal texts. Amendments related to mediation and arbitration procedures were also rejected, with the government emphasizing that the existing provisions are clearer and consistent with Morocco’s legal framework.
The adoption of the bill in committee marks a significant step in the legislative process and paves the way for further debate on the future regulation and governance of the press and publishing sector in Morocco.
