Morocco to End Emergency Press Support in March: Minister Bensعيد Reveals Details
Morocco to Restructure Press Support System
Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, announced a significant shift in government support for the press. The current exceptional aid package will conclude in March 2025, paving the way for a new decree outlining the terms and conditions for public funding of the press, publishing, printing, and distribution sectors. This move signals a transition from emergency funding to a more sustainable, long-term support model.
Bensaid, speaking before Parliament’s Education, Culture, and Communication Committee, emphasized that the new support system aims to bolster the economic viability of press enterprises, encourage both domestic and international investment, and improve the working conditions and financial security of journalists and other media professionals. This restructuring comes at a crucial time for the media industry globally, as it grapples with evolving business models and the rise of digital platforms. According to the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), global newspaper circulation has been declining for years, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to media sustainability.
A key component of the new decree is the requirement that regional daily publications employ at least four professional journalists to qualify for funding. This stipulation is designed to promote professionalization within the industry and create more opportunities for trained journalists. Furthermore, Bensaid advocated for the establishment of regional media hubs to strengthen local media presence and support specialized journalism. This focus on regional development aligns with broader trends in media, where local news outlets often play a vital role in informing communities and holding local authorities accountable.
The new support mechanism will be implemented through program contracts, with a primary focus on preserving jobs within press companies. This emphasis on job security reflects the government’s commitment to supporting the media workforce during this period of transition. Similar initiatives in other countries, such as tax breaks for media companies and grants for journalism training, have demonstrated the potential of government intervention to mitigate job losses in the media sector.
Bensaid provided detailed figures on the current exceptional support program. In 2024, approximately 325 million dirhams were allocated to press companies, covering salaries, social security contributions, and income tax. This represents a substantial increase from the 164 million dirhams allocated in 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial funding was targeted at legally operating companies that declared their journalists to the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), providing a crucial lifeline during the economic downturn.
In addition to the core support for press companies, the government also provided 35 million dirhams in lump-sum support to the press and publishing sector in 2024. Political party media outlets received 1.4 million dirhams. The printing and publishing sectors received 9 million and 30 million dirhams respectively in 2023. While the printing sector received a similar allocation of 9 million dirhams in 2024, the distribution sector did not receive funding due to ongoing discussions regarding its economic model. This targeted approach to funding reflects the government’s recognition of the diverse needs and challenges within the broader media ecosystem.
This restructuring of press support in Morocco represents a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and resilient media landscape. By focusing on professionalization, regional development, and job security, the government aims to empower the press to thrive in the digital age and continue to play its vital role in informing the public and fostering democratic discourse. The success of this new model will depend on its effective implementation and ongoing dialogue between the government and media stakeholders.
