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 four years, as part of the Moroccan government’s plans to build a large media group, SNRT is in the process of taking over the television channels 2M and Medi1TV and Medi1 Radio. According to information from the local culture ministry, Medi1TV is planned to become an all-news station focused on live broadcasting. The deals were finally approved by the government via a decree published in February 2024.
The profile of 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: Radio Agadir, Radio Al Hoceima, Radio Casablanca, Radio Dakhla, Radio Fez, Radio Laayoune, Radio Marrakech, Radio Meknes, Radio Oujda, Radio Tangier, Radio Tetouan
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
According to the 2005 Law on Audiovisual Communication, SNRT is wholly owned by the Moroccan state and subordinated to the Department of Communication in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The broadcaster’s highest governing body is its Administration Council, which comprises 12 members. Ten of them represent the government (they are appointed by various ministries), and the other two are elected 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 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 the promotion of the audiovisual activities (known as FPPAAEP), according to a report from the finance ministry in Morocco.
Editorial independence
The Moroccan government aimed to transform the state broadcast media into an independent public service broadcaster by transitioning the former RTM into SNRT. 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 pressures 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.
SNRT’s activities 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 guarantees the station’s editorial independence.
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.
July 2024