Report on Media in Morocco - Arab Center for the Rule of Law and ...

There are many different interpretations on the decline of the press coverage in
Morocco. Some attribute such decline to cultural factors relating to the fact that
Moroccan citizens are reading less in general. Others attribute it to the similarity
between the contents of newspapers which often have similar covers to the extent of
being identical some times. Others mention the dominance of the journalism of
commentaries and the continuity of the tough journalism press (partisan newspapers)
in the independent press at the expense of the investigative journalism. Others
attribute it to the widespread of images broadcast on TV and the role of electronic
media today. Another opinion that links this matter to economic considerations,
namely the weak purchase power of the Moroccan citizen 108 against the high cost of
purchase of newspapers 109 .
Although electronic media has started paving its way to many Moroccan homes, with
190,000 Moroccan families having access thereto owing to the successive discounts in
subscription fees 110 , as well as the spread of internet cafes in different Moroccan
cities, reliance on this type of media is, however, still below level. This is indicated by
the limited number of users of this type of media, and mainly by the quality of this use
which is often for entertainment purposes.
All Moroccan newspapers, with no exception, have internet services. Some also have
their own websites, particularly the French-speaking newspapers. The names of a
number of electronic newspapers are being circulated in media 111 . Some associations
and ministries, except for the Ministry of Interior, have websites. And all political
parties have their websites, except for some 112 . "Most of the said websites lack the
interaction dimension (forums), or the language they use is not the language of all
Moroccans, or are poorly designed and suffer from the absence of optical identity
unit." 113
3- Competence
Competence is one of the basic pillars in developed journalism. Competence relies
more on the element of proficiency which means "complete training in the techniques
of journalism and continuous updating, total awareness of the community
responsibility of the media institution and the journalist." Today, this element is the
subject of debate in the media. The continuing dominance of journalists who did not
graduate from journalism schools, the weak curricula in certain institutes, the spread
of the phenomena of hobby and "seasonal work” in journalism, the limited keeping up
to date with the technical media developments by some institutions, as well as the
lack of clear and objective standards for access to the world of journalism and the
very few opportunities available to undergo specialized training are all elements that
give more legitimacy to the debate on this topic.
108
Income per capita in Morocco does not exceed 32.451 Dirhams, according to the data in the
economic memorandum issued by the World Bank on April 14, 2006.
109
Prices of newspapers in Morocco are unified at 2.50 Dirhams, and most weekly newspapers at 5
Dirhams. As for weekly magazines, prices range between 10 and 15 Dirhams.
110
Internet subscription fees do not exceed 190 Dirhams (Less than $20) per month, in addition to 100
Dirhams ($10) as subscription fees in the fixed telephone line.
111
Major websites are: Elaph, Marrakech, and Minara.
112
Mainly, website of Justice and Charity Group, and Unification and Reform Movement that is close
to Justice and Development Party.
113
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