TV remains Moroccans’ preferred source of information, although this looks set to be overtaken by social media in the near future. The struggling press sector continues to see dwindling sales, and was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many of the most influential business-focused publications are in French, but the vast majority of Moroccan news and media is in Arabic, with an increasing prevalence of Darija, the Moroccan Arabic dialect. The state provides some broadcast media in Tamazight, as do several radio stations.
The state is re-establishing control of the broadcast sector, buying out the most popular domestic channel 2M in 2021.
The large number of media outlets does not equate to a free media environment. Most outlets adhere to the political viewpoints of the government and its close allies. Some criticism of government policies and the economic situation is permitted, but the monarchy and Morocco’s policies in Western Sahara are editorial red lines.
A handful of independent, critical outlets remain active, despite intense pressure from the authorities. Their journalists are harassed and in some cases targeted with spyware and imprisoned on spurious charges.
Social media use has rapidly increased in the past decade. Facebook and YouTube are the most popular platforms by a considerable margin.
Disinformation is prevalent in traditional and online media. Pro-government media outlets are accused of spreading false stories to smear opponents. Networks of pro-government social media accounts have been known to mobilise against government critics.
There were 25.5 million internet users by December 2021, comprising 68% of the population (Internetworldstats.com).
Media guides by BBC Monitoring
Press
Le Matin – semi-official daily
Al-Massae – private, daily
Assabah – private, daily
Liberation – private, daily
L’Economiste – business daily
Telquel – private, news weekly
Television
Societe Nationale de Radiodiffusion et de Television (SNRT) – operates state-run Television Marocaine (TVM)
2M – partly state-owned
Al Maghribia – satellite channel operated by RTM and 2M, aimed at Moroccans living abroad
Medi 1 TV – Tangier-based satellite channel, privately-owned by Moroccan and French concerns
Radio
Societe Nationale de Radiodiffusion et de Television (SNRT) – state-run, operates national networks in Arabic, French and regional services
Medi 1 – Tangier-based, privately-owned by Moroccan and French concerns, programmes in Arabic and French
Aswat Radio – private, FM relays nationally
Hit Radio – private, FM relays nationally
Med Radio – private, FM relays nationally
News agency
Maghreb Arab Presse (MAP) – state-run, English-language pages
Source: BBC