Moroccans will vote July 1 on a proposed constitution that includes a provision proclaiming access to information a right.
“If the yes vote wins, the constitutional right of access information will open the door to a new law,” according to Said Essoulami, director of the Center for Media Freedom in the Middle East and North Africa (CMF MENA), which proposed the right to information provision. “We are waiting for a draft to be released before the end of this year.”
Article 27 in the draft of the constitution (unofficial translation) states:
Citizens have the right to access information held by public authorities, elected institutions and bodies invested with a public service. The right to information can be restricted by law, in order to protect national defense, internal and external security of the state , the privacy of individuals, the prevention of infringements on the rights and freedoms enshrined in this Constitution and to protect sources and areas specifically determined by law.
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