Born in the 1950s in Taza province, Benstitou was part of this pioneering generation at MAP. After a law degree from the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences in Rabat, he joined MAP in 1974, where he advanced to the role of central editor-in-chief.

   Benstitou spent a good portion of his career at MAP as the agency's bureau chief in Cairo and later as a correspondent in Tunis.

   Throughout his extensive journalistic career, he covered numerous high-profile national and international events, notably the Green March, and the Moroccan Sahara issue at the Organization of African Unity (OAU), in addition to several Arab summits.

   He is also the author of "Mémoires d’un journaliste: voyage dans le temps et l’espace" (Memoirs of a Journalist: A Journey Through Time and Space), an autobiography that reflects on the key milestones of his professional journey.