فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Journalistic and professional unions in the press and publishing sector have announced their categorical rejection of the National Press Council Organization Law, as adopted by the House of Councillors, considering the manner of its passage a clear violation of the principles of self-regulation and professional independence, and a breach of constitutional provisions and the spirit of the rule of law.
In a joint statement issued in Casablanca on December 23, 2025, the signatory bodies—including the National Union of the Moroccan Press, the Moroccan Federation of Newspaper Publishers, and the National Union of Media, Journalism and Communication—expressed their strong condemnation of the governing majority’s refusal to introduce substantive amendments to Draft Law No. 06.25, despite proposals submitted by parliamentary opposition groups and professional stakeholders.
The unions described this refusal as a form of “disregard” for the legislative institution in both chambers, as well as for the opinions of constitutional bodies such as the National Human Rights Council and the Economic, Social and Environmental Council. They warned that the law, in its current form, opens the door to appointment-based governance and state oversight, undermining the democratic foundations of self-regulation built on election, pluralism, and professional representation.
The statement further cautioned that passing the law without genuine consultation with journalists would deepen the precariousness of media professionals, weaken journalistic ethics, and threaten press freedom and freedom of expression. It also warned against entrenching dominance and monopolistic practices within a sector that should be founded on independence and balance between journalists and publishers.
As part of an escalation strategy, the unions announced the immediate implementation of a nationwide protest program, including various advocacy and protest actions both domestically and internationally. They also indicated their intention to engage with regional and international institutions concerned with press freedom, in defense of professional independence and democratic self-regulation.
The statement concluded by affirming that the struggle for a free, independent, and democratic press will continue, rejecting all forms of control, exclusion, and domination, and calling on human rights organizations, civil society actors, and political forces to join this effort in order to safeguard the future of journalism.
