Bensaid Presents Details of the National Press Council Law Project to the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council
On Wednesday, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mehdi Bensaid, delivered a detailed presentation on the methodology for preparing Draft Law 26.25 concerning the reorganization of the National Press Council. This presentation took place in the context of institutional interaction between the government and the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council during a hearing organized by the Council’s Media and Knowledge Committee, responding to a request from the House of Representatives for an advisory opinion on the project.
Minister Bensaid explained that the draft law is based on the findings of the temporary committee for managing the journalism and publishing sector, established under Law No. 15.23. This committee conducted extensive consultations with seven professional bodies representing journalists and publishers in a comprehensive participatory approach. The committee submitted its final report to the government on July 5, 2023, after completing its task within the legal time frame.
The minister emphasized that the drafting of this project was a response to an objective and urgent need on three main levels: institutional, functional, and professional. He stressed that the project aims to address the legal gaps revealed by the previous council’s experience, while enhancing its powers and expanding its composition to include a more balanced and effective professional representation.
While interacting with council members, Mr. Bensaid confirmed that the project also drew on previous sectoral reports and studies, in addition to consulting international comparative experiences. These experiences highlighted that the majority of press councils worldwide rely on an electoral process for their formation, with the involvement of various official institutions to ensure independence and effectiveness.
The session witnessed rich interactions between the minister and committee members, who raised questions and comments regarding various aspects of the project, aiming to formulate an advisory opinion for the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council, which plays a pivotal role in assessing public policies.
This advisory opinion is expected to serve as an additional support for institutional and legislative discussions concerning the National Press Council Law project, ensuring the profession’s independence, transparency in sector management, and enhancing citizens’ trust in national media.
