House of Representatives passes draft law on audiovisual reform

The Moroccan House of Representatives (Parliament lower chamber) on Tuesday passed the draft law on the reform of the audiovisual sector that will pave the way for its liberalization.

The draft law which has been subject to a long and heated debate, is also meant to consolidate Morocco's Human Rights and preserve democratic assets, according to the Government.

The text also gives priority to remote regions and local communities and provides support to all public and private operators within a competitive framework.

"This law evidences the government's will to carry out a regulated and balanced liberalization of the sector, part of Morocco's democratic choice," said Minister of Communication and Government spokesman, Nabil Benabdellah.

In a recent statement to MAP, the minister said this draft law guarantees favourable conditions for investors, underlining, however, that new operators will need an authorization from the recently set up High Authority of audiovisual communication (HACA).

The draft law which has to still to be passed by the House of Advisers (Senate) also aims at reforming the public audiovisual sector by turning the Moroccan Radio and Television into "the national company of Radio-Television" and maintaining the TV channel "2M" as a public service.

Under the law project, no party will be allowed to hold over 51 percent in the capital of an audiovisual company.

The minister added that many requests for investment in this sector were submitted to HACA, saying he expects the submission of more requests once the project is adopted by parliament.