Morocco readies to authorize private tv channels, radio stations

Morocco on Thursday announced that private TV channels and radio stations can be authorized in the country in the few months to come.

TV channels and radio stations "can be authorized to operate legally in Morocco in the months to come, pending the enforcement of a law regulating audio-visual media," Moroccan Communication Minister and Spokesman for the Government, Nabil Benabdallah, said.

The official, who was speaking at the end of the weekly meeting of the Government Council, said more than 30 applications have been submitted for the creation of private TV channels and radio stations. These applications will be studied on due time, he said.

Morocco currently as two public TV channels, RTM and 2M, and several radio stations covering the national territory.

A draft law, ending the state control of the audio-visual sector, will be submitted to the parliament after its endorsement by the Government Council, said Benabdallah, who added that the text offers the possibility to create TV channels and radio channels.