Morocco's National Press Council law published, reorganizing sector

After a prolonged period of anticipation, Morocco has officially established the framework for its National Press Council. The law governing the reorganization of the council was published in the official gazette on July 6, ending a months-long vacuum.

The newly published law, which follows a Constitutional Court decision from January 28, 2026, outlines the council's structure and mandate. The National Press Council, recognized as an independent body with administrative and financial autonomy, will oversee professional journalists and publishers. Its core mission includes safeguarding the principles of journalistic honor, ensuring adherence to ethical codes, and promoting a diverse, free, independent, truthful, responsible, and professional media landscape.

Key responsibilities assigned to the council include protecting journalists' rights to information, commentary, and publication while respecting professional ethics. It is tasked with fostering press freedom, elevating the sector's standards, and promoting self-governance within the press and publishing industry, in coordination with the Higher Council for Audiovisual Communication.

The council will also manage the issuance of professional press cards and maintain official registries for journalists and publishers. It will serve as a mediator for disputes within the profession and between professionals and external parties, and will have the authority to handle disciplinary cases. Additionally, the council will provide opinions on draft laws and decrees concerning the press and conduct studies to develop and modernize the sector. It will also facilitate ongoing training for journalists and other media professionals.