Latest news with #Bensaid
Ya Biladi
6 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan House passes bill to reform National Press Council
The House of Representatives passed Bill 026.25 on Tuesday during a legislative session, with 87 votes in favor, 25 against, and no abstentions. The bill, which aims to reorganize the National Press Council (CNP), was adopted by a majority vote. Presenting the bill, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid emphasized that it is not merely a new piece of legislation, but a significant step toward modernizing and developing the country's media landscape. He described it as a key pillar in strengthening the rule of law and upholding the principles of good governance and transparency. In this context, Bensaid highlighted that self-regulation is intended to promote press freedom while safeguarding the constitutional right to exercise it, citing Article 28 of the Constitution. He stressed that the bill seeks to strike a balance between freedom of the press and the need to respect professional and ethical standards, ensuring that freedom does not lead to anarchy, and that responsibility does not equate to restriction. The bill also aims to address existing legal gaps, such as by establishing a commission tasked with independently overseeing the electoral process and the appointment of journalists and editors. It additionally proposes a new voting method, introduced at the request of professionals. The majority parliamentary groups argued that the bill provides essential safeguards for journalists, reinforces the principle of self-regulation, and strengthens Morocco's position among countries that respect press freedom. However, opposition groups voiced concerns that the bill risks institutionalizing top-down appointments and curtailing journalists' ability to freely elect their representatives within the Council.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rivian taps Google to bring custom maps into its EVs and app
For 18 months, Rivian and Google engineers worked together. Today, they're showing off their work. Rivian is pushing out a software update that will bring a unique version of Google Maps into its EVs. It's the latest step in Rivian's continued effort to distinguish its vehicles with software — an effort that has helped it strike up a joint venture with one of the world's biggest automakers, Volkswagen. This isn't a typical the Google Maps integration and it's unlike the tech company's other collaborations in the automotive sector. For years, Google has pushed into automotive through its smartphone projection app called Android Auto as well as Google built-in, an Android Automotive operating system that integrates Google services directly into the vehicle and is used by automakers like Volvo. The collaboration with Rivian is neither. Instead, Rivian customers who use the in-car navigation will no longer see the Mapbox-based maps. Now, they'll see Google Maps, but with a lot of Rivian DNA sprinkled on top, including its trip planner, user interface and design, and EV charger locations, according to Rivian's chief of software Wassym Bensaid. 'We obviously closely watch customer feedback, and I think one of the areas where we had some level of criticism was navigation,' Bensaid said. The company could have tried to incrementally improve its existing in-car navigation. Instead, it started working with Google to launch a new product. Rivian's challenge: it didn't just want the default Google Maps application. 'Google really wanted to embrace a new model of collaboration with a more open integration down to the API levels for Google Maps, and that required working with a tech partner on that journey to integrate both solutions, and I think we're really super happy with the result of this collaboration,' he said. The new maps feature will include estimated time of arrival, traffic updates, place information, and satellite imagery from Google Maps, all of which is integrated into Rivian's navigation system. The in-car navigation will also include tappable points of interest. Carrying over Rivian's trip planner is crucial as it showcases EV range estimates and charging stop selection, all powered by A Better Routeplanner. Other Rivian features like its 'range on arrival,' charging stops and preferences, and the EV maker's charging score, which gives a rating for individual charging sites based on plug-in data from Rivian vehicles, have also been folded into the Google Maps. The new Google-based maps will start to roll out today via a software update in Rivian vehicles and its mobile app. The updated Rivian mobile app will include additional trip planning features as well. Rivian said it added place photos, place descriptions and satellite view (with a Connect+ subscription), as well as the ability to see traffic and traffic incidents in the app. Users can also continue to share destinations and trips from the Rivian mobile app to their vehicle.
Maroc
08-07-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco, WIPO Ink MoU to Strengthen Legal Protection of Moroccan Cultural Heritage
Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, signed on Monday in Geneva a memorandum of understanding with the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Daren Tang. The signing took place alongside Morocco's participation in the WIPO General Assemblies, taking place in Geneva from July 8 to 17. The agreement aims to deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of intellectual property, with a particular focus on copyright and related rights, as well as the legal protection of Morocco's cultural heritage. It also provides a path to benefit from WIPO's expertise in intellectual property and to adopt new legal concepts, such as resale rights and reproduction rights, through integration with the WIPOCONNECT system. A key feature of the agreement is the promotion of the "Label Maroc" internationally, enabling Morocco to strengthen the legal safeguarding of its cultural heritage under the framework of the Moroccan Office of Intellectual Property. Morocco has already registered several heritage elements, including the caftan and zellige, which will now enjoy reinforced legal protection through WIPO mechanisms. While UNESCO grants countries international recognition of cultural heritage, WIPO offers legal recognition that empowers states to pursue claims before competent authorities in cases of theft or misappropriation. This agreement will allow Morocco to secure WIPO's support in countering the looting of its cultural assets. In a statement to MAP following the ceremony, Bensaid highlighted that the agreement aims to strengthen the capacities of the Moroccan Copyright Office (BMDA) in several strategic areas. "Our ambition is to develop within the BMDA the defense of emerging rights, drawing on international expertise that will serve as a powerful lever to open new opportunities for artists and the cultural sector as a whole," he said. The agreement is also an opportunity to deepen understanding of the cultural economy and to renew skills at a time when the sector is undergoing rapid transformation, the minister added. "With the rise of artificial intelligence and new technologies, it is essential to remain attuned to global trends and innovative practices," he emphasized, stressing that this commitment is fully aligned with Morocco's vision of preserving and enhancing its cultural heritage, especially intangible heritage. Bensaid further noted that Morocco has already begun the process of seeking WIPO recognition for seven elements of its heritage, with the objective of expanding and consolidating this legal protection in the framework of collaboration with the Geneva-based organization. "The Kingdom of Morocco is the first country to have undertaken the protection of its intangible heritage from a purely cultural, rather than commercial, perspective. This is our first initiative with WIPO, but certainly not the last," the minister stated. The Moroccan official and WIPO Director General had bilateral talks on the sidelines of the signing ceremony, which was attended by several senior officials of the organization. They reviewed the level of cooperation between Morocco and WIPO and discussed key joint projects, including expert exchanges and capacity-building visits to help secure the rights of authors and creators. MAP:07 July 2025
Morocco World
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Approves New Laws to Strengthen Professional Journalism
Rabat — The Moroccan government has approved two important draft laws today aimed at strengthening the legal framework governing professional journalism. Following the weekly cabinet meeting on Thursday, Mustapha Baitas, the government spokesperson and delegate minister responsible for parliamentary relations, explained that these legislative updates seek to modernize the regulation of journalism in Morocco while keeping pace with the evolving media landscape. The first draft law, Bill No. 27.25, amends and supplements the existing Law No. 89.13 concerning the professional status of journalists. Presented by the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, the bill aligns with constitutional provisions safeguarding freedom of expression and the press. It also respects Morocco's international commitments on human rights and protects the professional and social rights of journalists. Baitas emphasized that this reform addresses the profound changes within the media sector, ensuring the legal framework remains relevant and effective. It aims to uphold press freedom while maintaining compliance with legal boundaries and professional ethics. The second draft law, Bill No. 26.25, focuses on reorganizing the National Press Council (Conseil National de la Presse). Also presented by Minister Bensaid, this law strengthens the council's alignment with constitutional articles 25, 27, and 28, which guarantee freedom of expression and support the self-regulation of journalism and publishing. Baitas highlighted that this legislative reform builds on the recommendations of a special committee established under Law No. 15.23 to oversee the press and publishing sector. Its goal is to ensure the council's ongoing role in self-regulating the profession, promoting journalistic ethics, and safeguarding the sector through democratic and independent mechanisms. Furthermore, the draft law seeks to consolidate the achievements of Law No. 90.13, enacted in 2016, which affirmed the council's independent, professional character and its core responsibilities, especially its regulatory authority over press and publishing. Minister Bensaid also noted Morocco's progress in media pluralism and freedom of expression over the past two decades. Earlier this year, he cited the growth of the Moroccan media landscape, which now includes 988 online platforms, 275 newspapers, and 106 international journalists operating in the country. He described these developments as evidence of Morocco's democratic advancement. 'The press in Morocco alternates between supporting and criticizing the government, which reflects the progress we have made in democracy over the past twenty years,' the minister insisted. Tags: freedom of journalismFreedom of speechgovernment council
Ya Biladi
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco steps up fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods
Morocco has taken proactive measures to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, said Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, on Monday in Rabat. Speaking at the opening of an international conference on «The Role of Customs in the Fight Against the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Goods», Bensaid emphasized that such items «are not merely artifacts or works of art, but living testimonies of successive civilizations, a collective memory of humanity, and invaluable treasures that symbolize human creativity and civilizational interaction over the centuries». «We have worked to strengthen our legal and regulatory framework in line with relevant international conventions, particularly the 1970 UNESCO Convention», he noted. The ministry has also ramped up efforts in digitization and the inventorying of cultural assets considered the first line of defense against theft and smuggling. He added that a new law has come into force, introducing key provisions aimed at curbing practices that threaten cultural heritage. On the operational front, Bensaid underlined the importance of «enhancing the capacities of security and judicial systems in investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of these crimes, in close collaboration with international security bodies and partner institutions». He also highlighted that numerous cultural restitution operations have been carried out in partnership with countries such as the United States and Chile. In the same vein, Bensaid pointed to several additional measures aimed at developing joint strategies and practical solutions, such as combating black markets, increasing oversight of art auctions, and launching initiatives to support affected countries in protecting their heritage and reclaiming stolen items. These efforts, he added, also involve harnessing new technologies, including artificial intelligence and blockchain, to trace and catalog cultural goods at their source. He stressed the importance of education and cultural engagement in raising awareness among younger generations about the protection of heritage.
