Morocco debates press code

Fuente: Afrique en ligne

Rabat, Morocco - The Moroccan government and the national media have commenced debate on the press code, including the one in force since 2007, seen by professionals as being below expectations and aspirations to improve the press working condition and a legal framework to guard against 'abuse', especially custodial sentences. The debate on the draft revision of the press code comes in the wake of the momentum of the royal speech of 9 March in which King Mohammed VI announced a major revision of the Constitution, said Moroccan Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Khalid Naciri, noting that the information sector 'could not be left behind'. The forthcoming passage of the press law is 'an initiative of the ministry seeking to establish a mature relationship between information and power', said Mr. Naciri on Wednesday.

Referring to custodial penalties always stipulated in the draft, he said the issue would be discussed with professionals.

The Moroccan government had promised a reform of the current press code, 'based on democratic benchmarks' during a meeting on Tuesday in Rabat.

Under the current press law in Morocco, whoever undermines the respect due to the king and members of the royal family is punishable by one year to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of 100,000 to 500,000 dirhams (1 euro = 11 dirhams).

The same penalty applies when a publication violates the Islamic religion or the territorial unity of the kingdom or the monarchy.

The Interior Minister may order, if he deems necessary, the seizure of any number of a periodical that undermines public order.

This order is subject to appeal before the Administrative Court, in whose jurisdiction the headquarters of the newspaper company or the manager of the publication concerned by the seizure are situated.

Pana 07/04/2011