As per reports, a silent protest is scheduled amid escalating tensions in Morocco’s media landscape, scheduled for Friday (28 November), at 1730 hours local time (1630 hours UTC), in front of the Ministry of Culture headquarters near the Mohammed V Theater in Rabat.

• The demonstration, organized by the ‘Statement for the Dissolution of the National Press Council’ committee, demands the dissolution of the National Press Council, the withdrawal of Bill No. 26.25, and an end to restrictions on a free and independent press.
• The call is supported by more than 220 journalists following the publication of a controversial leaked recording made public by journalist Hamid El Mahdaoui.
• The petition that triggered this mobilization alleges ‘serious violations’ within the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee of the interim body managing the press and publishing sector. A broad coalition, including journalists, civil society groups, political parties, and trade unions, are expected to join the protest to express wider concerns about governance and accountability within media oversight institutions.
• Meanwhile, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid has rejected calls to dissolve the National Press Council, calling it an effective institution essential to Morocco’s democratic process.