Senate Approval of Law 09.26 for National Press Council Reform
In a legislative session held on Tuesday evening, the Moroccan Senate voted in favor of Law No. 09.26, aimed at reorganizing the National Press Council. This law received majority approval, with 17 senators voting in favor and 7 against, while there were no abstentions. The law was presented following the legal implications of a constitutional court decision issued on January 28, 2026.
During the introduction of the law, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, emphasized that this legislation is not just an ordinary legal text but represents a pivotal moment in the modernization of the national media landscape. He described it as a qualitative step toward strengthening the rule of law, enhancing governance principles, and reinforcing transparency and accountability in the media sector.
Bensaid, through his representative, Secretary of State for Employment Hicham Sabri, noted that this law arises from an objective assessment of the initial experience in self-regulation of the journalism profession. He remarked that while this pioneering experience marked significant progress in the organization of the profession, it also revealed certain deficiencies and legal gaps, along with professional demands for the development of the legal framework governing journalism.
To address these issues, the minister mentioned the creation of a temporary committee that served as an extension of the previous National Council, tasked with evaluating the state of the press sector and developing a comprehensive vision for its evolution. This committee conducted extensive consultations with various professional bodies and presented its findings within the legally specified timelines.
Based on these findings, the government prepared this project in complete harmony with the spirit of self-regulation for the profession, aiming to enhance its independence and ethical practices. Bensaid highlighted that self-regulation is the most effective mechanism for ensuring the exercise of press freedom within a responsible framework, as enshrined in Article 28 of the Constitution.
Additionally, the government official pointed out that this initiative seeks to achieve a delicate balance between safeguarding press freedom as a constitutionally guaranteed right and adhering to the profession's rules and ethics. He affirmed that "freedom and responsibility are not contradictory but complementary," stressing that a strong and credible media can only exist within this balance.
The project aims to address some of the legal gaps that emerged from the previous experience by establishing a committee to oversee the electoral and appointment processes, ensuring their management is conducted with independence and transparency. Furthermore, it proposes a more suitable voting system that aligns with the aspirations of professionals in the field.
Bensaid added that the new law marks the beginning of a new phase in the self-regulation of journalism, reinforcing the independence of the National Press Council and solidifying its role in regulating the profession amid rapid changes in the media landscape, particularly in light of rising challenges related to fake news and practices that do not align with journalistic ethics and norms.
In conclusion, the minister reiterated that the objective of this project is to empower the National Press Council to manage the affairs of journalists and publishers independently, thereby solidifying the position of national journalism as a fundamental pillar of democracy and a key player in shaping public discourse.
As reported by hespress.com.
