Bensaid: The Project for Reforming the National Press Council is a Crucial Turning Point for Modernizing Media and Strengthening Self-Regulation
Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, emphasized that Bill No. 026.25, concerning the restructuring of the National Press Council, represents a critical turning point in the modernization of the national media landscape and constitutes a fundamental building block for enhancing governance, transparency, and the rule of law.
During the presentation of the bill in a public session of the House of Councillors on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, the minister noted that this legislative text emerged from an evaluation of an initial experience in self-regulation that revealed inconsistencies and legal gaps, prompting governmental intervention to assume political responsibility and respond to the demands of professionals.
Bensaid pointed out that the government relied on the general vision developed by the interim committee, which worked for more than two years to diagnose the situation of the press and publishing sector through extensive consultations with various professional bodies and stakeholders.
The government official asserted that this approach reflects the essence of true self-regulation, affirming that the text was not simply the result of an administrative decision but rather the culmination of work by an independent professional committee, ensuring the profession’s autonomy and promoting its ethical standards away from any direct oversight.
The minister stressed that the government acts not out of political motives or to serve any particular party, but exclusively aims to strengthen press freedom and ensure its independence, in line with the higher interest of the country and constitutional provisions.
In this context, Bensaid highlighted that Article 28 of the Constitution, which links the practice of journalism to democratic foundations, makes government intervention a legal mechanism to ensure the sector’s autonomy and self-regulation according to clear and transparent rules.
He added that the central objective of the proposed law is to establish a delicate balance between the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press and the respect for professional ethics, asserting that freedom and responsibility are complementary elements for building a professional and robust media capable of addressing the challenges posed by fake news and the chaos prevalent on some social media platforms.
Regarding the updates included in the project, the minister explained that it aims to address previous shortcomings by establishing an independent committee to oversee the electoral and appointive processes for journalists and publishers, alongside adopting a new voting system that responds to the aspirations of media stakeholders.
Bensaid concluded by affirming that Morocco is now entering a second phase of self-regulation, aiming in the long run to establish a complete and comprehensive self-regulation system for the sector. He praised the quality of the democratic and responsible debate that characterized the work of the Education, Culture, and Social Affairs Committee in the House of Councillors, as well as the positive interaction from both the majority and opposition in enhancing the legislative text.
