HIBAPRESS – A. Mahyaoui
Local authorities in the Kenitra region have begun implementing new organizational arrangements regarding photography within the temporary shelter established at the equestrian club, which houses a number of families affected by the recent floods.
According to consistent data, this step comes within the context of seeking to control media access to the facility and ensure compliance with relevant legal regulations. Informed sources have indicated that it is necessary to provide proof of professional status for journalists wishing to conduct coverage from within the shelter, either through a professional press card issued by the National Press Council or an official accreditation confirming the status of a recognized correspondent. The measures also include mandatory possession of a valid photography permit issued by the Moroccan Cinema Center for audio-visual or documentary works. The concerned parties affirm that these measures do not aim to restrict media work, but rather to frame it in a way that ensures respect for the dignity of the affected families and protects their personal data, especially in a delicate humanitarian situation that requires a high degree of discretion and professional responsibility. The procedures also aim to limit any illegal use of images or content that may be circulated outside its legitimate news framework. In contrast, observers believe that regulating access to the shelters once again raises the question of balance between the right to access information and the duty to protect vulnerable groups, especially in light of the growing phenomenon of spontaneous photography and the publication of content via social media platforms without permission or consideration of legal regulations. According to observers, this step remains part of an approach that seeks to organize field work within the shelters, in a way that preserves the right of the professional journalist to perform their mission and, at the same time, protects the rights and privacy of those affected, within the framework of respect for the laws in force.
