The Government Council adopts a draft decree relating to public aid to the press, publishing, printing and distribution sectors

Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 5:41 p.m.

Rabat – The Government Council, meeting on Thursday, approved draft decree 2.23.1041 setting the conditions and modalities for granting public aid to the press, publishing, printing and distribution, presented by the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, taking into account the observations made.

This draft decree is part of the application of article 7 of law 88.13 relating to the press and publishing which aims to support the sectors of the press, publishing, printing and distribution and the modernization of companies operating in these sectors on the basis of the principles of transparency, equal opportunities and neutrality, the objective being to strengthen the national and international influence of the Moroccan press and to strengthen its role in defending the Kingdom’s causes, indicated the Minister Delegate in charge of Relations with Parliament, government spokesperson, Mustapha Baitas, during a press briefing following the Council.

This public aid aims to promote reading and pluralism and support human resources through capacity consolidation, training and support for qualifications, he explained.

Public aid will also serve, added Mr. Baitas, to strengthen professional partnerships between entities representing businesses and press unions, promote investment, modernize production, equipment and printing and develop distribution infrastructure.

According to the government official, this draft decree sets conditions for granting public aid common to press, printing and distribution companies as well as conditions specific to each of them, in addition to conditions particular for each printed periodical publication or electronic journal.

To this end, the Commission to support the development of the press, publishing, printing and distribution sectors will be created, with the mission of processing files eligible for public aid. intended for the press, publishing, printing and distribution sectors, said Mr. Baitas, adding that the members of this commission will be required to sign an ethical charter and that a secretariat of the commission will be responsible for receiving applications.