DR ‹ › On Monday, the Committee on Education and Cultural and Social Affairs at the House of Councillors approved Bill 026.25, which aims to reorganize the National Press Council (CNP). The bill, previously passed by the House of Representatives, received a majority vote with six in favor and five against. The meeting was attended by Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication. A total of 139 amendments were proposed: 64 from the Haraki group, 33 from the Socialist – Ittihadi opposition group, 7 from the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), 18 from the Moroccan Labor Union (UMT), 10 from the Democratic Labor Confederation (CDT) group, and 7 from Councillor Loubna Alaoui. The amendments primarily targeted Article 5, which outlines the Council's composition of 19 members divided into three categories: 7 members elected by professional journalists, 9 appointed by the professional publishers' organization, and 3 appointed members from various institutions and bodies. Addressing the suggestion to broaden the list of represented institutions and bodies, the minister argued that the current format in the bill is more effective, as it focuses on bodies directly connected to the Council's responsibilities. Moreover, the minister highlighted that the inclusion of «wise members» in the CNP's structure brings together professional expertise and extensive experience in press and publishing, enabling them to provide balanced and insightful guidance within the Council. In another development, the minister dismissed several amendments concerning the mediation and arbitration procedures detailed in Title VIII (Articles 66 to 75), asserting that the existing version in the bill is «more precise».
