Moroccan draft laws to consolidate press freedom

The Moroccan government will submit in the coming weeks draft laws meant to consolidate press freedom, said Moroccan communication minister, Larbi Messari.

In an interview published Sunday by Egyptian daily Al Ahram, the Moroccan minister stressed the ongoing efforts to reform state-owned press organizations (the Moroccan radio, tv and news agency).

Messari described the multi-party experience in Morocco as unique in the region, recalling that, unlike other countries, the country has never experienced the single-party system. He added that Morocco has benefited from its openness on Europe, recalling that 60 % of its trade volume is conducted with the European Union.

Meanwhile, the staff of the Moroccan Radio and Television "RTM" and of state-owned daily "Al Anbaa" announced that they will observe a sit-in on Tuesday to protest "worsening material and professional conditions."

Supervised by the press union "SNPM," the personnel is also claiming the settlement of internal promotion issues, an increase in the salaries and allowances, the preservation of their dignity, the improvement of working conditions and the respect of the independence of the journalism work."