The council of Morocco's Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, led by Omar Moro, has earmarked approximately $200 million for a media contract aimed at enhancing the region's image and communication with the press. The one-year contract, which began in April, focuses on producing media content, covering regional events, and digital monitoring. Despite the significant allocation, details about the contract's progress and impact remain scarce.
The contract, numbered 12/RTTA/2026, was allocated 1.93 million Moroccan dirhams ($200 million) for 12 months. The funds are intended for various media services, including relations with local and international press, production of media content, coverage of regional activities, and digital monitoring and analysis. However, as of October 2, there was no publicly available information on the specific services provided or the impact of the contract on the region's media landscape.
Critics within the regional council have repeatedly questioned the transparency and effectiveness of the media contract. They argue that there is a lack of clear information on how the funds are being spent and what tangible results have been achieved. Some council members have expressed concerns that the allocated amount is disproportionate to the visible outcomes, with limited published materials and a narrow focus on the council's activities.
In October 2023, council member Bashir Abdelalawi from the Justice and Development Party criticized the allocation of nearly 5 million dirhams for media relations in the 2024 budget. He argued that the amount had little visible impact on the ground and questioned the allocation of funds for this purpose. Abdelalawi's comments were part of a broader critique of the council's budget, which he claimed prioritized administrative expenses over developmental programs.
In March 2024, the council launched a new tender for media relations, with a budget exceeding 295 million dirhams. Some council members argued that the amount was excessive and that the information provided about the contract was insufficient. They claimed that the region's communication activities were largely limited to the president's activities, while other council members and regional areas received little attention.
Omar Moro, the president of the regional council, responded to criticism by stating that the allocated amount was not excessive and denying reports that the council had allocated 500 million dirhams. Moro emphasized that the contract aimed to promote the region's image and enhance communication with the press and the public.
The controversy surrounding the media contract highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of public funds in Morocco's regions. The lack of clear information on the contract's implementation and impact has fueled criticism and raised questions about the effectiveness of such large-scale media investments in promoting regional development and communication.
Key points
- The Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region allocated approximately $200 million for a media contract aimed at enhancing the region's image and communication with the press.
- Critics argue that there is a lack of transparency in how the funds are being spent and that the visible impact of the contract has been limited.
- The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of public funds in Morocco's regions.
