Société nationale de radiodiffusion et de télévision (SNRT) is the public broadcast company in Morocco. It used to be known as Moroccan Radio and Television (RTM). SNRT operates eight television channels, four radio stations and a chain of regional radio channels. In the past three years, as part of the Moroccan government’s plans to build a large media group, SNRT took over the television channels 2M and Medi1TV (2021) and Medi1 Radio (in 2023). According to information from the local culture ministry, Medi1TV is planned to become an all-news station focused on live broadcasting. The profile of the station 2M will be integrated under SNRT once the creation of the new state-run media holding is completed.
Media assets
Television: Al Aoula, Laayoune TV, Arryadia, Athaqafia, Al Maghribia, Assadissa, Aflam TV, Tamazight TV, 2M, Medi1 TV
Radio: Al Idaa Al Watania, Chaine Inter, Al Idaa Al Amazighia, Radio Mohammed VI du Saint Quran, regional radio stations
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
SNRT is a company fully owned by the Moroccan state, according to the Law on Audiovisual Communication of 2005. SNRT is subordinated to the Department of Communication in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The broadcaster’s highest governing body is its Administration Council composed of 12 members, 10 of whom represent the government (they are appointed by various ministries). The other two members are elected to the council by the SNRT’s staff. The President Director General (PDG), who holds the highest individual position at SNRT, is appointed by the minister of communication upon approval by the king.
Source of funding and budget
SNRT is financed through a combination of state subsidies, revenues from advertising sales and part of the funding raised through a Tax for Promotion of the National Audiovisual Space (TPPAN). In 2019, the year for which the latest financial data are available, SNRT operated with a total budget of MAD 1.6bn (US$ 181m). State subsidies accounted for nearly 65% of that. In 2020, SNRT operated with a similar budget, the largest part being a state subsidy worth MAD 1.1bn; TPPAN contributed MAD 260m and another MAD 120m was received from a state fund for promotion of the audiovisual activities (known as FPPAAEP), according to a report from the finance ministry in Morocco.
Editorial independence
Through the transition of the former RTM into SNRT, the Moroccan government aimed to transform the state broadcast media into an independent public service broadcaster. However, except for the name change, the transformation didn’t lead to more editorial autonomy. SNRT continues to be known as a broadcaster close to the government, its channels never daring to criticize the authorities. That is partly because of a culture of self-censorship characteristic of the Moroccan media system where the government makes pressure on most media outlets through legal harassment and various other threats. Hence, even at times of relaxation when the authorities allow more criticism, journalists at public media refrain from any critical coverage, fearing repercussions.
The activities of SNRT are presented in a rulebook that is regularly updated by the broadcaster’s management. The broadcaster also has an ethical charter that lists the main responsibilities that SNRT has towards its public. However, none of these documents truly guarantee the editorial independence of the station.
SNRT has an office of the “mediator” whose main task is to handle complaints and other types of feedback from the audience. The mediator is appointed by the SNRT President Director General and is subordinated directly to him/her. The mediator responds to viewers and listeners after requesting information and reactions from the producers of the programs discussed in the complaints. The mediator also prepares an annual report summarizing his/her activity.
August 2023