Government counts on journalists to support change

Moroccan communication minister, Larbi Messari, said the government counts on journalists to support the changes wished by King Hassan II, as they have been closer than anyone else to royal ideas of change over of power.

In an interview with Tangiers' local daily "Les Nouvelles du Nord", the minister who belongs to the nationalist Istiqlal (independence) party which is part of the socialist-led governmental coalition, said "the ideas of our government team and those of journalists are in harmony with those of His Majesty," Map reported.

Answering a question on projected reforms for the communication sector, the minister, who is also a journalist, said it is necessary to secure a balance between political trends, adding he had already launched talks with political parties to enquire about their views on this issue.

Dealing with the future of the Moroccan second TV channel which was a pay TV before being taken over by the state, he announced that this channel "will be privatized as soon as possible". He explained that the state took it over to save "a good product" and went on that "2M" had prepared the development of the civil society and initiated innovation in its work methods.

He further announced plans to propose draft laws on private radio stations and the creation of the high information council as an advisory body that will support the king's action in information-related issues. Texts on the statute of journalists and amendments to the press code which dates back to 1958 are also under study to be submitted to the parliament next fall, he said.

"Our government's policy is one of dialogue and concertation with all concerned sides", he said before insisting "we are not a government of censorship".