The National Association of Media and Publishers in Morocco has called for a review of the country's economic model for journalism, urging the government to redirect public support towards development and investment in the sector. The association's president, Idris Choukhan, made the appeal during the organization's general assembly in Casablanca, where the focus was on the challenges facing the national press in the digital age.
Choukhan emphasized that public support, which has helped maintain media companies and jobs, particularly during the health crisis, must now play a greater role in financing development, modernization, and investment. He cited a budget of 247 million dirhams allocated for sector support in the 2027 finance bill, and called for a new approach to this support to help media companies overcome their fragility and build sustainable capacities.
The association's president considered that the next stage requires transitioning from managing survival difficulties to building a structured and competitive national press, capable of keeping pace with Morocco's transformations and improving the quality of its production and media presence. He highlighted the need for sector organization, citing figures showing that 379 media companies benefit from public support, compared to 59 structured companies affiliated with professional organizations.
Choukhan also emphasized the importance of strengthening transparency and responsibility, and regulating practice conditions to combat behaviors that harm the image of journalism and public trust in it. He stressed the need to restore the value of journalistic work and protect its requirements, and mentioned that there is thinking about introducing a license to practice media activity to frame the sector and encourage responsible practice.
The discussion also touched on the relationship between the strength of media companies and the quality of journalistic work, highlighting the importance of developing management methods and economic models, and improving the professional and social conditions of media workers. The association's members raised several challenges, including the decline in the value of the journalist's profession, the proliferation of media outlets, and competition from international advertising platforms.
The association's Secretary General, Moukhtar Laghzawi, stressed that developing the relationship between the state and the press should allow media companies to gradually acquire greater economic independence, reducing their reliance on public support. He also emphasized the importance of professional unity, considering that internal divisions weaken the body's ability to face common challenges.
The association's general assembly also reviewed its activities, including initiatives to improve working conditions and develop the legal framework for the sector. The organization's financial report showed revenues of around 505,000 dirhams, against expenses of over 605,000 dirhams, resulting in a temporary deficit of nearly 100,000 dirhams. However, available liquidity exceeded 1.72 million dirhams.
Key points
- Moroccan media association urges government to redirect public support towards development and investment in journalism
- Association calls for new approach to public support to help media companies overcome fragility and build sustainable capacities
- Sector organization and professional unity are essential to face challenges facing national press
