Morocco’s Significant Investment in Journalism: A Path to Strengthening Media
Alalam24, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mahdi Bensaid, has announced a substantial commitment to supporting the country’s journalism sector in the coming year
This support will amount to 240 million Moroccan Dirhams, marking a notable increase from the 63 million Dirhams allocated in 2023. During a presentation before the Education, Culture, and Communication Committee in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Bensaid revealed that the ministry has prepared a new decree that will undergo approval by the government to regulate this funding for achieving its objectives
The primary aim behind this boost in funding is to revitalize the journalism sector, foster innovation within media enterprises, and ultimately ensure robust national and international media influence. Furthermore, the funding will serve as a means of support for these entities in championing the nation’s critical issues
In this context, Bensaid emphasized that the vision extends beyond official national channels to encompass the entirety of the national press. The plan includes enabling these media organizations to invest in foreign bureaus, whether in Arab, African, or European countries. This initiative seeks to broaden the reach of Moroccan journalism to a global audience, ultimately contributing to the promotion and protection of Morocco’s cultural heritage
To ensure transparency and effectiveness in this endeavor, a dedicated directorate will be established to oversee the allocation of this support, which will occur biannually. The minister stressed that media organizations are expected to invest in journalists and contribute to combating the spread of fake news
In conclusion, Bensaid affirmed that responsible media companies will benefit from this support and utilize it effectively. However, it is essential to recognize that this funding is not merely a grant; media organizations are expected to assume their share of responsibility within the media and journalism sector
