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Moroccan media sector regulatory and political disputes

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-16 02:12 UTC → 2026-09-22 09:26 UTC · added removed

Tensions have escalated within the Moroccan media sector involving professional associations and regulatory or political entities. The Moroccan Federation of Newspaper Publishers has denounced the Provisional Committee for the Management of the Press and Publishing Sector after it rejected 69 out of 74 applications for nominations to the National Press Council. The Federation, led by President Mohtat Regass, described the decision as a “massacre of pluralism” and a systematic attempt to exclude independent voices. The rejected files include established outlets such as “Al Alam”, “L'Opinion”, “Al Bayan”, and “Bayan Al Yaoum”, alongside various regional and Sahrawi news sites. The Federation characterized the administrative process as “surreal,” noting that the Committee demanded additional documentation under tight deadlines and ultimately approved only five applications despite the submission of required files. In response to these exclusions, the Federation has threatened to withdraw from the formation of the National Press Council entirely unless the decisions are reversed and explained. The organization further labeled the current legal framework “catastrophic and regressive,” criticizing government management of the process. On September 15, 2026, the integrity of the National Press Council elections was further challenged by reports of severe logistical failures. The National Center for Media and Human Rights and the National Syndicate of Moroccan Press reported significant irregularities, including overcrowding, long queues, and inadequate facilities. Specific concerns were raised regarding the secrecy of the ballot, with reports of voters discussing choices via mobile phones. In Rabat, poor lighting reportedly forced organizers to use phone lights to facilitate voting. Both organizations held the interim government committee responsible for these failures, stating that Staff members also reportedly worked shifts exceeding 15 hours without sufficient food, water, or rest. On September 21, 2026, the mismanagement undermined National Press Council elected its new leadership following the credibility implementation of the professional election. Law No. 09.26. Mokhtar Laghzioui was elected President with 11 votes, defeating Abdullah El Baqqali, who received 3 votes.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-22 09:26 UTC Moroccan media sector regulatory and political disputes
  2. 2026-09-16 02:12 UTC Moroccan media sector regulatory and political disputes
  3. 2026-09-14 19:32 UTC Moroccan media sector regulatory and political disputes
  4. 2026-09-09 22:15 UTC Moroccan media sector regulatory and political disputes

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