Morocco makes of press liberalization a national issue

The liberalization of the media is a national issue, Moroccan culture and communication minister, Mohamed Achaari, said Wednesday.

"We have seen to it that the liberalization of the sector be a national issue and not a mere political slogan nor the subject of politician overbidding," Achaari told Al-Ittihad Al-Ichtiraki daily.

The reform of the sector is part of the efforts made by King Mohammed VI to modernize the country and consolidate democracy, he said.

For the minister, the liberalization of the audio-visual media will be a bond forward towards this objective.

Morocco has two TV channels: TVM and 2M in addition to a national radio station, based in Rabat, and several radio stations in the country's major cities.

The liberalization drive will help generate more jobs and promote the working conditions, Achaari said, stressing the need for enforcing a strategy covering investments, production, training and marketing.

He noted that a higher audiovisual body will be created and will mark a revolution in the sector in view of the crucial role it will play in this connection.

The body will regulate the intervention of the various actors in the field and will check national news production to preserve diversity and balance, he added.