This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Heba Presse – Casablanca
The Moroccan Association of Young Journalists has strongly denounced the illegal practices carried out by a group of public agents affiliated with the territorial administration, which aim to hinder journalistic field work and limit the ability of journalists to exercise freely and in a manner their professional functions independently.
The Sadda association also denounced, through a press release published today Sunday, the arbitrary ban to which fellow journalists were subjected by the pasha of Hay Hassani during a field visit carried out by the governor of the Casablanca-Settat region, accompanied by the mayor. of the city and the president of the Casablanca Workers’ Council, at one of the field workshops of the economic capital.
The association considers this ban to be a flagrant violation of the rights of journalists to access information and cover events on the ground, especially in a context where Morocco is experiencing major crises which require professional and transparent journalistic monitoring.
The association recalls that these practices are repeated in a remarkable manner, which reflects a clear decline in respect for the constitutional and legal contents which guarantee the freedom of journalistic work, and underlines that these actions are incompatible with the spirit of the Moroccan constitution and of the laws governing the profession of journalist.
-The association also expresses its categorical rejection of the fact that certain officials authorize people posing as “journalists” to cover campaigns for the liberation of the public domain, while professional journalists holding official professional cards issued by the National Council of the press are prevented from doing so. This double game raises eyebrows and questions about why. behind this custom. Which contravenes the law and violates the principles of transparency.
The association underlines the importance of good communication between public authorities and the journalistic body, as well as the need to apply the law fairly and firmly against any person posing as a “journalist”, while guaranteeing the right of professional journalists to access information and cover events without obstacles.
In conclusion, the association called on the competent authorities to take the necessary measures to put an end to these practices and respect the rights of journalists as stipulated in the Constitution and the laws in force, and emphasizes that the continuation of these violations will negatively affect Morocco’s reputation as a country that respects press freedom and works to strengthen it.
It should be noted that the Pasha of Hay Al-Hasani intervened yesterday to prevent photojournalists from exercising their professional duty, as stipulated in the Constitution and international laws relating to the exercise of their functions by journalists.
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