Bensaid: The Press Council Law Strengthens Its Position as the Fourth Estate Based on Professionalism and Ethics
The Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mahdi Bensaid, stated that the proposed law for reorganizing the National Press Council represents a significant reform step in solidifying the press’s status as the fourth estate grounded in professionalism, responsibility, and respect for ethical standards.
During his presentation of the project to the Education, Cultural, and Social Affairs Committee of the House of Councillors on Monday morning, Bensaid emphasized that the text aims to strengthen governance and ensure the council’s independence and effectiveness, enabling it to keep pace with the rapid transformations occurring in the media and communication sector.
The project includes several innovations, the most notable of which are:
- Establishment of two official registries for professional journalists holding press cards and publishers.
- Setting a maximum deadline of 30 days to provide opinions on draft laws and decrees related to the profession, with the possibility of shortening this period in urgent cases.
- Expanding areas of cooperation and partnership to include international entities with similar objectives.
- Extending the term of council members to five years, renewable once, with the condition of enjoying civil and political rights.
- Adding new grounds for dismissal related to serious crimes such as bribery, fraud, drug trafficking, terrorism, and sexual offenses.
Regarding the transitional phase, the minister clarified that the temporary committee managing the affairs of the press and publishing sector, established under Law 15.23, will oversee the election of journalist representatives and appoint publisher representatives, under the supervision of a judge delegated from the Supreme Council of the Judiciary.
Bensaid stressed that this transitional provision ensures the continuity of institutional work for the National Press Council and avoids any legal void, affirming that the committee’s mandate is time-limited and will conclude upon the installation of the new council in accordance with legal provisions.
