Over 60 bids to create TV and Radio channels

Sixty-three bids for the creation of TV and Radio channels have been so far filed before the authority of audiovisual communications (HACA), said Tuesday the authority's chairman.

Ahmed Ghazali explained that 56 applications concern the creation of radio stations at the national and local levels and 7 seek the creation of TV channels, including two satellite channels.

Ghazali went on to say the channels range between specialized and thematic channels, pointing out that Casablanca has attracted over half of the whole applications.

The official said among the requirements set for considering bids is to earmark at least 6% of the annual turnover for the production, co-production or purchase of Moroccan audio-visual works.

Created in 2002, HACA is the watchdog of the audio-visual realm that has put a term to the State's monopoly over this sector.

It is one of the multiple reforms the government has introduced to liberalize the field of audio-visual communications.

The Communication Minister, Nabil Benabdellah said, Tuesday before the House of Advisors, these reforms will attract private investors and incite the public sector components to improve their performance and ultimately present a high-quality product.