Latest news with #MohamedMehdiBensaid
Ya Biladi
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco to draft new law on the National Press Council, Communication Minister says
The Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, announced on Monday in the House of Representatives the drafting of a new law concerning the National Press Council (CNP). The draft has been reviewed by the government in terms of form, while its content will be discussed with industry professionals as part of the profession's self-regulation process. Responding to questions about the self-regulation of the press sector, the minister explained that the lessons drawn from the self-regulation experience have informed the drafting of this text, with the aim of producing «a law that guarantees self-regulation and the moralization of the press profession». Bensaid elaborated on the self-regulation experience that led to the establishment of the CNP, describing it as «far more than an administrative measure», but rather «a reflection of a profound awareness that press freedom, as enshrined in the Constitution, can only be realized through self-regulation mechanisms». He stressed that self-regulation is designed to reinforce press freedom and uphold the constitutional right to practice the profession. He also highlighted that Article 28 of the Constitution underscores the importance of organizing the press sector on democratic foundations. Self-regulation, he continued, seeks to protect the profession from unethical or unprofessional practices that could damage its reputation, including fake news, disinformation, and other harmful behaviors. Bensaid concluded by emphasizing that self-regulation is not solely the responsibility of journalists, but a shared societal concern, given that the press serves society as a whole.
Morocco World
17-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
France, Morocco Seek to Strengthen Sports Cooperation
Rabat – Beyond diplomatic ties and trade, France and Morocco have pledged to strengthen sports cooperation. The two countries confirmed this interest on Friday during the 40th Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of the Francophonie, which marked the participation of French Minister of Sports Marie Barsacq. A statement on the French minister's visit from the French embassy said that the official met with Morocco's Minister of Culture Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid to discuss important areas to boost cooperation and bilateral ties between the two countries, particularly in regards to working with youth. During the visit, the French minister also met with Morocco's Minister of Education and Sports Saad Berrada, with whom she signed a joint declaration of intent regarding cooperation in the field of sports. The agreement covers international sporting events, high-level and elite sports performance, e-sports, as well as training. 'I welcome the signing of this cooperation in the field of sports, which formalizes the growing cooperation between France and Morocco on the topic,' she said, asserting the need to continue 'this privileged partnership' between the two countries that focuses on empowering youth through sports. France has long emphasized its commitment to continue to support Morocco in several projects in this area. France, Morocco Seek to Strengthen Sports Cooperation In April, the two countries discussed the 2030 World Cup preparatory campaign launched by Morocco, a co-host of the global tournament along with Spain and Portugal. France's Minister delegate in charge of Foreign Trade and French citizens abroad, Laurent Saint-Martin, during his visit to Morocco in April, announced the launch of the Franco-Moroccan Committee to support Morocco as hosts of the 2030 World Cup. Representatives from at least 10 French companies attended to promote French expertise in infrastructure for large international events. Beyond France, several other countries have also expressed interest in unlocking the opportunities Morocco holds as a co-host of the tournament, including the UK. Earlier this week, UK Minister of State for Investment Baroness Gustafsson announced that the Department for Business and Trade is 'committed to helping UK businesses export to Morocco.' This effort comes in line with the UK-Morocco Association Agreement the two countries signed in 2019 post-Brexit. 'Bilateral trade was worth £4.2 billion in 2024, up £0.6 billion in current prices from 2023,' the minister stated, stressing the importance of Morocco as a co-host of the World Cup. She concluded that this is an example of further avenues for growth for UK-Morocco business partnerships at the 2030 FIFA World Cup 'where opportunities are emerging for British businesses.' Tags: Morocco and Francesports
Morocco World
16-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's New Social Media Law: HACA to Expand Authority Under Bensaid's Plan
Doha – Morocco is unleashing a regulatory arsenal against global tech giants. The sweeping initiative aims to bring the digital Wild West under state supervision after years of unfettered operation. With a stroke of legislative authority, the North African country intends to rein in platforms that have become powerful shapers of public opinion, cultural values, and social behavior. This bold power play positions Morocco at the vanguard of regional efforts to assert national sovereignty over virtual spaces previously dominated by Silicon Valley corporations. 'The anarchic proliferation of social networks and their social impact clearly demonstrates the necessity of preparing a complete national legal framework capable of accompanying digital transformations, and protecting the values of societal cohesion,' declared Minister of Culture, Youth and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid. He presented the plan before the Commission of Education, Culture and Communication at the Chamber of Representatives on Wednesday, stressing that the legislation would protect societal values 'without infringing on freedom of expression.' The minister's department is currently developing what he described as a 'robust, coherent and complete' framework before submitting it to the legislative process. The proposed regulations target platforms serving Moroccan audiences or generating revenue from the country's advertising market. Such companies will face new obligations, including mandatory appointment of legal representatives within Morocco. Bensaid asserted this measure would overcome 'the legislative void that gives foreign digital platforms freedom to work without effective surveillance.' It would also provide 'a practical mechanism for activating censorship and sanctions in cases of violations or lack of cooperation with national authorities.' According to a previous ministerial study, nearly 80% of information presented as exclusive on these platforms proves to be false, misleading, or manipulated. This statistic shows the urgency of intervention in a country where internet penetration has reached 91% among urban residents—a substantial jump from 76% in 2023. Moroccans now spend daily hours online, with 43% of young Moroccans aged 18-29 devoting between three and five hours daily to social media platforms, according to a 2024 study by OpinionWay Maroc and Saga Communication. HACA gains unprecedented powers in digital sphere The cornerstone of Morocco's digital regulation strategy involves dramatically expanding the authority of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA). This institution will transition from a traditional media regulator to a powerful digital watchdog with expansive jurisdiction over the online space. 'We are working to extend HACA's competencies to allow it to regulate this domain according to a perspective combining freedom of expression, protection of the public, and digital justice,' Bensaid stated. The minister added that 'maximum priority' would be given to 'the state's role in protecting the public from negative effects of digital content.' Among the key elements of this initiative, Bensaid pinpointed 'a precise definition' of 'digital platform' services or online content-sharing platforms (social networks), as well as subjecting providers to 'clearly articulated legal obligations' aimed at structuring the relationship between the state and digital actors. The expanded powers will enable HACA to monitor platforms even without a physical presence in Morocco. The regulator can demand periodic reports on content moderation policies, complaint handling mechanisms, and statistics on removed content. HACA will also gain authority to order content removal or restriction, particularly for material promoting violence, terrorism, racial or religious discrimination, or spreading misinformation. 'This is an essential step to overcome regulatory barriers regarding sovereignty and ensure that international digital actors are held accountable and controlled,' Bensaid told lawmakers. This initiative will draw heavily on international experience, particularly the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which came into force in 2023. The minister called it 'one of the most advanced texts globally' for online services regulation. The European framework imposes strict obligations regarding transparency, combating illegal content, and ensuring user safety, especially for minors. Notably, this is not the first time Morocco has considered expanding HACA's authority to digital platforms. In 2019, then-Minister of Culture Mohamed Laâraj supported the idea of extending the regulator's powers to cover online content, advocating for its development within an appropriate legal framework. However, that initiative never progressed beyond preliminary discussions and did not advance to the Secretariat General of the Government. Platforms face strict content and financial obligations Digital platforms will confront stringent new requirements under the proposed legislation. They must implement 'efficient content moderation systems' using algorithms that automatically detect problematic material. These automated tools must identify and address content related to violence, hate speech, false information, and inappropriate material targeting minors. 'Digital platforms will be required to counter false information immediately,' Bensaid explained. This applies especially to content 'inciting violence, terrorism, racial or religious discrimination.' Platforms must establish transparent reporting mechanisms for swift response to complaints. The minister noted this would promote 'preventive responsibility' by enabling platforms to 'intervene before situations escalate.' For child protection, the legislation mandates age-appropriate content classification, parental control activation, and prohibition of advertising exploiting children's vulnerability. 'Platforms must take measures to protect young users from harmful or inappropriate content,' Bensaid said. This includes 'categorization by age group, activation of parental control tools, banning advertisements that exploit minors' vulnerability or promote harmful products, and removing any content that could harm psychological or behavioral development.' Financial transparency requirements form another crucial element of the framework. Platforms generating advertising revenue in Morocco must 'respect fiscal transparency, collaborate with financial authorities, and potentially submit to financial restrictions in case of violations,' according to the minister. These companies will need to cooperate with the General Tax Administration, Bank Al-Maghrib, and the Exchange Office to ensure compliance with Moroccan financial regulations. Growing government concern over digital 'anarchy' The new legislation reflects mounting official anxiety about unregulated online content. Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi has repeatedly voiced concern about social media's impact on Morocco's institutions and society. In December 2024, Ouahbi warned that social media, particularly Facebook, posed 'a serious threat to judicial independence.' He criticized individuals, including former judges turned lawyers, who publicly challenge court decisions on these platforms. 'We cannot allow chaos to continue. If necessary, we stop the caravan, discipline the dogs, and then resume our path,' Ouahbi stated, rejecting the trend of labeling officials as corrupt without evidence. Earlier, in September 2024, Ouahbi announced plans to introduce strict penalties in the penal code for social media misconduct. 'We are going to put an end to what is happening on TikTok and YouTube, such as filming people's private lives without their permission,' he declared during a television interview. 'Human dignity and private life are sacred and inviolable,' the justice minister asserted, questioning individuals' right to photograph or film others without consent. These concerns come at a time when Moroccans are consuming more media than ever before. According to Kantar's latest Africascope Maghreb 2024 study, urban Moroccans devote 5 hours and 46 minutes daily to media: 2 hours and 57 minutes watching television, 2 hours and 17 minutes online, and 32 minutes tuned to radio. Social media dominates online activity, with Facebook leading at 84% daily usage, followed by WhatsApp at 70%, and Instagram at 60%. The government's initiative represents Morocco's entry into the global movement toward digital sovereignty, joining countries worldwide seeking to assert control over their digital spaces. If adopted, these regulations would fundamentally transform the relationship between Moroccan authorities, international tech giants, and the millions of Moroccans who increasingly live their lives online. Many civil society organizations, however, have voiced alarm over the potential implications for digital freedoms, cautioning that the proposed framework may offer legal cover for expanding state censorship and surveillance. The vague language around 'protecting social values' is seen by critics as a Trojan horse for censorship—a velvet glove concealing a fist—capable of weaponizing morality to stifle dissent and sweep away legitimate political expression under the guise of public interest.
Maroc
14-05-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Rabat Commemorates 10th Anniversary of Morocco-Italy Cooperation in Heritage Preservation
The archaeological site of Chellah in Rabat hosted an official celebration marking the 10th anniversary of Moroccan-Italian cooperation in preserving and promoting the Morocco's heritage (2015-2025). The event highlighted the outcomes of projects completed under this successful bilateral cooperation, with senior officials from both Morocco and Italy in attendance. This cooperation, part of the Debt-for-Development Swap Agreement, was signed by the governments of the two countries in 2013. It includes archaeological sites such as Chellah, Volubilis in Meknes, and Lixus in Larache, with a budget of €3 million. In a speech, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, stated that Morocco and Italy share exceptional ties, emphasizing that the two countries, centers of artistic innovation and creativity, have chosen culture as the cornerstone of their history for centuries. He further emphasized that under the leadership of His Majesty the King, Morocco has made the preservation and promotion of heritage a central priority in its public policies. For his part, the Italian Ambassador to Morocco, Armando Barocco, said that the two countries share a rich history in the Mediterranean basin, highlighting the deep-rooted cultural relations between them. The diplomat noted that the Moroccan community in Italy, which is the largest community in the peninsula outside of those from Europe, is an example of integration and success, and a source of pride for both Italy and Morocco. This celebration, organized in partnership with the Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute, featured an opera recital consisting of arias by Rossini, Mozart, and Verdi, to the applause of the audience. MAP: 13 mai 2025
Morocco World
26-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Bank Al-Maghrib, Ministry of Youth Join Forces to Expand ‘Pass Jeunes' Benefits
Rabat –The Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication and Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM) signed a new partnership agreement on Friday aimed at providing young people with additional benefits through the ' Pass Jeunes ' program. The agreement, signed by Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid and Bank Al-Maghrib Governor Abdellatif Jouahri at BAM's booth during the 30th International Book and Publishing Fair, seeks to improve youth access to cultural resources and the history of Moroccan currency while promoting financial literacy. Thanks to this partnership, holders of the ' Pass Jeunes ' will enjoy free admission to Bank Al-Maghrib's museums and receive discounts on books and other merchandise sold at the museum shops. Bank Al-Maghrib also pledged to actively support the promotion and communication efforts surrounding the 'Pass Jeunes' within its museum spaces. This collaboration is part of the larger 'Pass Jeunes' initiative, reaffirming Bank Al-Maghrib's commitment to encouraging financial inclusion and enriching young people's access to cultural experiences. Speaking to the press, Minister Bensaid said that the initiative aims to address one of the biggest challenges facing Morocco's youth — enhancing their employability. He praised Bank Al-Maghrib's efforts and emphasized the government's broader strategy to equip young Moroccans with the skills needed to succeed in the job market. Governor Jouahri, for his part, stressed that Bank Al-Maghrib is making its museums, resources, and expertise accessible to young people, describing it as an investment in Morocco's future. He added that the partnership would extend the cooperation between the two institutions through the Moroccan Foundation for Financial Education, with the aim of boosting services that already target youth, women, and rural populations. ' Pass Jeunes ' is a national digital initiative designed for young Moroccans aged 16 to 30, offering them a single platform to access a variety of cultural, educational, social, and professional opportunities — ultimately promoting mobility, inclusion, and cultural engagement. Tags: BAMBank Al-MaghribPass jeunes
