Government pulls proposed press management committee, says no urgent need

Morocco’s minister of youth, culture and communication, Mehdi Bensaid, has withdrawn draft decree law No. 2.26.135 on creating a special committee to manage the press and publishing sector, during Thursday’s government council meeting.

A source said the withdrawal followed discussions that concluded there was no urgent need to establish the committee, particularly as the process to reorganize the sector’s institutional framework is advancing through draft law No. 09.26, which has restarted its legislative path.

The government council reviewed and approved draft law 09.26 on reorganizing the National Press Council, in order to address the legal implications of a Constitutional Court ruling and align certain provisions with the court’s observations.

The proposed interim mechanism had sparked professional and legal debate, with journalists questioning the necessity of transitional bodies at the current stage and voicing concern over interference in the profession’s self regulation. Sources indicated the government rejected the draft decree, while a source close to Bensaid said the minister himself decided to withdraw it.

Asked why the text was placed on the council’s agenda if it was to be withdrawn, the same source said the General Secretariat of the Government prepares the agenda in coordination with the relevant ministry.

Bensaid later told a press conference that withdrawal became “inevitable” once the discussion shifted to the political level, stressing that decree laws are justified only in urgent situations. He said administrative continuity is ensured, with press cards issued for 2025 remaining valid automatically.

The minister added that both the press council reform and a separate draft law on professional journalists are expected to complete their legislative process by late April or early May, paving the way for forming a new National Press Council.