The Government Withdraws the Draft for a Special Commission to Manage the Press Sector
The government has decided to withdraw the draft decree-law establishing a special commission tasked with managing the press and publishing sector. The decision was announced during the Government Council meeting held on Thursday, at the initiative of the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mehdi Bensaid.
According to a responsible source, the withdrawal followed discussions of the text and the observation that there was no urgent need to establish such a body, particularly given the progress made in reorganizing the sector’s institutional framework, whose legislative process is set to be relaunched.
At the same time, the Government Council reviewed and adopted Bill No. 09.26 concerning the reorganization of the National Press Council (CNP). The text aims to address the legal implications of the Constitutional Court’s ruling regarding the regulatory framework of this institution and to adjust certain provisions in line with the Court’s observations.
The withdrawal of the draft special commission comes amid ongoing professional and legal debate over the appropriateness of introducing a transitional management mechanism for the sector. Several voices within the profession had expressed opposition to any form of external intervention that could affect the principle of self-regulation.
Asked about the relevance of placing the draft on the Government Council’s agenda before withdrawing it, a source close to the minister clarified that the preparation of the agenda falls under the responsibility of the General Secretariat of the Government, in coordination with the relevant departments.
This clarification comes as questions were circulating about the nature of discussions within the Executive, particularly after the withdrawal of the draft despite its formal inclusion and discussion at the Council meeting.
According to the same source, the preferred option now would be to extend the validity of journalists’ professional press cards to ensure continuity in the exercise of the profession without interruption, pending the completion of legislative and regulatory reforms relating to the National Press Council and the overall organization of the sector.
This transitional mechanism would remove the need to create a new commission, considered unnecessary under current circumstances.
With this withdrawal, the government appears to be opting for a cautious approach in handling the matter, in a context marked by the sensitivity of institutional and professional balances related to the organization of the press in Morocco.
It is worth recalling that the proposed commission was to be chaired by a judge appointed by the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ), and to include representatives of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), as well as two experts specializing in the field of press and publishing appointed by the Head of Government.
The commission was intended to manage the administrative and financial affairs of the CNP, examine complaints related to professional ethics, and ensure the continuity of the sector’s regulatory missions.
It had also been proposed to extend the validity of professional press cards issued in 2025 so that they would remain valid throughout 2026, in order to guarantee continuity in journalists’ activities.
Editorial team/le7tv
