Draft law on private TV channels to be tabled before parliament, minister

The Moroccan communication minister announced that the government will submit shortly to the parliament a draft law on the creation of private TV channels and radio stations.

Minister Larbi Messari, who was interviewed by Egyptian Al-Ahram daily, also announced that the government is currently working on the amendment of the press code. The new law will reduce the government's interference in matters of the press freedom, he said.

Morocco has two public TV channels, RTM and 2M, and several radio stations scattered around the country. Messari also dwelt on the press freedom in Morocco, noting that the Moroccan press enjoys full freedom of speech and the governments sees to the respect of this rights in accordance with the constitution.

The Moroccan government will remain attached to the freedom of expression and will see to the respect of the rules of ethics governing the profession, Messari said. The Moroccan press has never criticized a government the way it does with the present one, he said, adding that the press freedom is guaranteed by the constitution.