HIBAPRESS – Rabat
Details of the new draft law related to the reorganization of the National Press Council have revealed an updated composition that seeks to achieve a greater balance between the various components of the media field. Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, confirmed that the new formula adopts a structure that ensures more consistent professional and institutional representation.
These amendments, presented by Minister Bensaid before the members of the Education, Culture, and Communication Committee in the House of Representatives, come in the context of interaction with the observations of the Constitutional Court, thereby consolidating the principles of good governance and enhancing the independence of the Council.
According to Article 5 of the new text, the National Press Council will consist of 17 members distributed across three main categories; the category of professional journalists' representatives includes 7 members, including at least 3 female professional journalists, who are elected by the electoral body of journalists in accordance with the organized legal provisions.
The category of publishers' representatives also includes 7 members who are appointed by professional organizations, with each organization that obtains more than one seat being obligated to allocate at least one female seat, in a step that aims to enhance the representation of women within the Council.
The third category concerns the representatives of institutions and bodies, and consists of 3 members who are appointed by constitutional institutions. This includes a judge appointed by the Supreme Council of the Judicial Authority, a member appointed by the National Human Rights Council, and another appointed by the Economic, Social and Environmental Council.
