The release of a video showing a meeting of the Disciplinary and Professional Ethics Committee of the Interim National Press Council, published by journalist Hamid El Mahdaoui, has sparked widespread outrage across Morocco's media sector. The Moroccan Federation of Newspaper Publishers condemned the incident as a «rights and ethical massacre», warning that it threatens judicial independence and the foundations of professional self-regulation. In a strongly worded statement, the federation argued that the leaked recording is not an isolated incident but part of a «systematic plan». According to the group, this plan began with the management of the internal dispute within the publishers' association, the exclusion of the federation from dialogue and consultation, the imposition of a temporary committee that exceeded its legal mandate, and the advancement of a monopolistic draft law to restructure the National Press Council. The federation denounced what it described as the «intellectual emptiness and ethical decay» evident in the language used during the meeting. It stressed that El Mahdaoui's dignity and right to a proper defense were clearly violated, noting serious breaches in the conditions required for fair disciplinary proceedings. Calling for an urgent judicial investigation, the federation urged authorities to uncover the circumstances behind previous disciplinary decisions and to determine responsibility. It also called for transparency by informing public opinion of the investigation's findings. Additionally, it demanded the suspension of the draft law currently under review in the House of Councillors, arguing that it reflects the «same conspiratorial mindset» exposed in the leaked videos. The federation insisted that the government must develop a new vision for regulating the press sector through inclusive dialogue with legitimate professional bodies. The federation noted that the legal mandate of the temporary committee expired last October, yet it continues to exercise authority «in defiance of legitimacy». It declared all decisions taken by the committee to be null and void. It further stressed that attention should be directed toward the «content of the video» rather than the leak itself, affirming that the temporary committee bears full responsibility for safeguarding the confidentiality of meetings and the personal data of journalists and publishers. The statement concluded with a warning against ongoing attempts to «seize control of the sector» and turn the press from a watchdog into a tool for influence and silencing dissent. The federation described the current crisis as painful but also as an opportunity to rescue the sector and restore its vital role as a pillar of democracy and a defender of freedom of expression and professional integrity.
