Calls for Advanced Digital Legislation and Professional Training to Address Cybercrime in Tetouan
A roundtable held yesterday, Friday, May 30, in Tetouan, gathered participants who emphasized the necessity of advancing Moroccan legislation to keep pace with the growing challenges associated with digital crime, while focusing on the protection of freedoms and the establishment of legal and ethical responsibility.
The meeting, hosted at the Bar Association, brought together lawyers, journalists, and academics, organized in coordination between the Lawyers’ Union and the regional office of the National Union of Journalism and Media Professions, in partnership with the Laboratory of Media, Communication, and Discourse Sciences at the Higher School of Teachers.
Discussions, which lasted over four hours, resulted in a series of recommendations, the most prominent being the need to align Law No. 08-09 related to personal data protection with digital developments and international standards. Participants also highlighted the importance of enacting a specific law for social media platforms and criminalizing digital violence in all its forms.
Participants stressed the urgency of updating laws to match the rapid changes in digital journalism, seeking a clear balance between ensuring freedom of expression and combating hate speech, defamation, and misinformation, which have become prevalent across digital platforms.
The symposium also addressed the rising phenomenon of fake news and its impact on public opinion, especially given the widespread use of social media platforms. Speakers noted the limitations of current punitive measures and the need to enhance them within a framework that respects constitutional rights while confronting accelerating technological challenges.
Several contributors called for enhanced specialized training for legal professionals and journalists in the digital sphere, as well as sustainable mechanisms for fact-checking information. They urged the integration of digital literacy into school curricula from early stages, alongside building capacities specifically to protect children from the dangers of the digital space.
Among the key recommendations was the issuance of a code specific to digital crimes and organizing an extensive national seminar involving experts in law, media, and civil society to establish progressive legislative groundwork that considers both technical and legal aspects.
The meeting reflected a growing awareness of the need for flexible legislation and ongoing professional training to safeguard society from digital violations, without impinging on freedom of expression and publication, which remain fundamental pillars of any democratic system.
