Unions and professional organizations representing Morocco's journalism sector are escalating their opposition to Bill No. 25-26 on the reorganization of the National Press Council. They argue that the approval process is taking place under «improper conditions» and «far from the spirit of consultation». Despite this, the government plans to present the bill to the House of Councillors on Monday, September 8, without waiting for the advisory opinion of the relevant constitutional institutions. This position follows meetings held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, between representatives of unions and professional bodies in journalism and the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council, as part of preparing an advisory opinion requested by the House of Representatives. The organizations described the meeting as a crucial opportunity to voice the «broad professional rejection» of the bill and to warn of its potential consequences for the future of self-regulation in the profession. Union leaders denounced what they called the government's rush to pass the bill, noting that the Minister of Communication intends to present it to the House of Councillors despite repeated calls to temporarily suspend the legislative process and await the constitutional bodies' input, feedback they say could help «correct the legal and professional imbalances» in the draft text. The signatories, including the National Union of Moroccan Press, the Moroccan Federation of Newspaper Publishers, the National University of Journalism, Media, and Communication (affiliated with the Moroccan Labor Union), and the National Union of Media and Press (affiliated with the Democratic Confederation of Labor), announced a unified stance rejecting the bill. They argue its content and structure undermine the principle of self-regulation enshrined in the constitution and law. In their view, the bill creates an entry point for excluding professional bodies based on narrow political or economic interests, entrenching unprecedented dominance while disregarding the role of unions and professional organizations in shaping Morocco's journalistic landscape. The organizations reaffirmed their commitment to coordination and joint mobilization against the bill. They stressed they will continue advocacy efforts with the government, the House of Councillors, parliamentary blocs, and other stakeholders, while preparing a protest program whose details will be announced soon in coordination with allied groups.
