Moroccan journalists mark national information day
Morocco, Local, 11/15/2000

Moroccan journalists are marking this Nov.15 the national information day against a backdrop of rising worries by the press union "SNPM" that the present situation in the sector is below expectations of the civil society, trade unions and politicians.

The union released a statement saying professionals ought to mark this day as an opportunity to examine the information sector with a perspective of building "a society of media" that enjoys the material, human and professional means needed to guarantee the freedom of expression and democracy within the public media.

Regarding the rights of journalists, the union deplores the poor respect of labor rights in newspapers and media institutions and the lack of the most basic means.

Despite repeated calls for a revision of the laws regulating public media bodies and their management, a present stagnation is contradicting all democracy and human rights principles preached by the country's highest authorities, says SNPM.

The union announced a package of "militant actions" was worked out to improve the material and professional conditions of journalists on the basis of conclusions adopted by its board meeting last October 28.

The union also says this year has witnessed the continuation of practices restricting the freedom of opinion and speech in Morocco and behaviors interfering in the work of journalists, in addition to "contradictions" between discourse and practice. It cites cases of publication seizure or banning and other impediments to foreign publications and TV stations, in addition to similar practices against some Moroccan papers and judiciary actions against journalists.

SNPM regrets that these practices are taking place under a government that pledged to respect freedoms and that journalism is still being used for propaganda ends.

The late King Hassan II proclaimed in 1993 Nov.15 as the national information day as an opportunity to address issues related to the profession and study the situation of professionals ` and enable citizens and public and private institutions to be aware of the role of information and communication.

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