In our State Media Monitor database, 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

SNRT is fully owned by the Moroccan state and operates under the authority of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, in accordance with the 2005 Law on Audiovisual Communication. The organization’s governance structure is headed by a 12-member Administrative Council, ten of whom are appointed by various government ministries. The remaining two are elected by SNRT staff.

The highest executive authority within SNRT is the Président Directeur Général (PDG), who is appointed by the minister of communication with the approval of the King—a process that underscores the broadcaster’s strategic and symbolic importance to the state.

SNRT is led by Faïçal Laraïchi, appointed as Président‑Directeur Général (PDG). His leadership was reaffirmed in early 2025.

Over the past four years, SNRT has been at the heart of the Moroccan government’s project to consolidate its state media assets into a powerful public broadcasting group. As part of this strategy, SNRT has been acquiring majority control of 2M and Medi1TV, along with Medi1 Radio. These acquisitions were officially authorized through a decree issued in February 2024, marking a significant shift in the country’s media landscape. According to information from the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, Medi1TV is being repositioned as a 24/7 news channel specializing in live broadcasting.

In January 2025, SNRT finalized two major acquisitions: becoming the sole owner of 2M and Medi1 TV, and securing an 83.6 % stake in Medi1 Radio. This marks the most significant consolidation of Morocco’s public media to date, integrating approximately 4,500 employees across all outlets into the SNRT-led public holding by mid‑2025. The full integration of 2M under the SNRT umbrella is expected to take effect upon the formal creation of the new public media holding structure, anticipated by late 2025.

Source of funding and budget

SNRT’s operations are funded through a mix of public subsidies, commercial advertising revenue, and a special levy known as the Tax for Promotion of the National Audiovisual Space (TPPAN). In 2019, SNRT had a total operating budget of MAD 1.6 billion (approx. USD 181 million), with nearly two-thirds of that amount sourced from direct state subsidies. In 2020, the budget remained largely consistent, including MAD 1.1 billion in state subsidies, MAD 260 million from the TPPAN and MAD 120 million from the FPPAAEP (a state-managed fund for the promotion of audiovisual activities).

The 2025 Finance Law allocated MAD 1.9 billion (~USD 180 million) to public media, including SNRT, for the 2023–24 period.

Editorial independence

While SNRT’s transition from RTM was originally framed as a step toward creating a more autonomous public service broadcaster, in practice, little has changed in terms of editorial freedom. SNRT remains widely perceived as a mouthpiece for the government, avoiding any criticism of state authorities or controversial political actors.

This lack of independence stems not only from direct political control, but also from a pervasive climate of self-censorship—a hallmark of Morocco’s broader media ecosystem. Legal threats, regulatory pressure, and informal warnings remain commonplace, discouraging both public and private media outlets from pushing editorial boundaries. As a result, even when political circumstances allow for slightly greater openness, SNRT journalists often err on the side of caution to avoid potential reprisals.

While SNRT maintains an ethical charter and an internal rulebook, these instruments offer no substantive guarantees of editorial independence. The broadcaster does have an internal mediator’s office, tasked with managing audience complaints. The mediator is appointed by and reports directly to the PDG, and is mandated to compile an annual report based on feedback and inquiries directed at program producers. However, the mediator’s capacity to act as an independent ombudsman remains limited, given their institutional subordination.

July 2025

As part of a sweeping state-led media consolidation, Société Nationale de Radiodiffusion et de Télévision (SNRT)formally acquired 2M in May 2021, integrating it into a wider plan to establish a state-run media conglomerate tentatively referred to as Media Holding Public.

Although the merger process is still underway in 2025, until SNRT fully integrates 2M in its operations, we will maintain 2M’s profile in the State Media Monitor database.

Media assets

Television: 2M

Typology: See SNRT

Ownership and governance

2M’s ownership history reflects its hybrid commercial–political positioning. Originally part of ONA, Morocco’s royal business holding, the broadcaster was sold to the state in 1999, with SOREAD (Société d’Études et de Réalisations Audiovisuelles) taking majority control (72%).

The Moroccan royal family, through Société Nationale d’Investissement (SNI)—now rebranded as Al Mada—continued to hold a minority stake of roughly 20% in 2M for years, maintaining a degree of influence over its governance.

In May 2021, SNRT—entirely state-owned—acquired the entirety of SOREAD’s shares, including the stakes held by Al Mada, signaling a decisive shift in 2M’s institutional identity. The move was part of a broader initiative announced by the government to bring 2M, Medi1TV, and SNRT under one public umbrella, streamlining governance and optimizing state media resources. By early January 2025, SNRT had completed the acquisitions of both 2M and Medi1TV.

Despite the acquisition, 2M maintains a separate legal and web presence, pending full integration into the SNRT-led holding. Public statements from SNRT’s CEO suggest this process will be completed in 2025, with a single administrative and editorial structure replacing the current model.

When the consolidation of the media companies into Media Holding Public is completed, we will move 2M’s profile to SNRT. In the 2023 State and Public Media Global List, we already included 2M in the SNRT’s portfolio.

Source of funding and budget

2M has historically relied heavily on advertising revenue as its primary source of income. However, the station’s operator, SOREAD, had posted sustained financial losses over several years prior to the state buyout.

The government’s 2021 announcement of a merger between SNRT, 2M, and Medi1TV was framed as a response to these inefficiencies and as a means of safeguarding the future of Moroccan public broadcasting through consolidation and restructuring.

As of 2024, financial figures specific to 2M are no longer published independently. Instead, its revenues and expenditures are expected to be gradually absorbed into the broader SNRT budget, which for 2024 was estimated at approximately MAD 1.9 billion (USD 180 million), according to Morocco’s 2025 Finance Law.

Editorial independence

Despite the absence of explicit editorial directives imposed by law, 2M has long been perceived as editorially aligned with the Moroccan state. Although it offers a relatively wide range of programming—including entertainment, cultural features, and social issues—its news and political coverage consistently avoid criticism of the authorities.

Local journalists and media analysts interviewed for this report in May 2024 and May 2025 emphasized that this self-censorship is entrenched, and has deepened following the acquisition by SNRT. The prevailing consensus is that 2M has become even more of a government mouthpiece, both through formal alignment and informal editorial practices.

No independent oversight body or external evaluation mechanism exists to audit or validate 2M’s editorial integrity. With SNRT’s full control imminent, these concerns are likely to persist or intensify unless structural reforms are introduced.

July 2025

Media assets

Print: Le Matin, Assahra Al Maghribiya, Maroc Soir

State Media Matrix Typology

Captured Private Media (CaPr)

Ownership and governance

In 2001, Moroccan tycoon Othman Benjelloun acquired Maroc Soir Group, but sold it three years later to its current owner, Othman Al Omeir. Al Omeir is a Saudi media mogul with close ties to King Salman of Saudi Arabia and King Mohammed VI of Morocco. A former editor-in-chief of Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, Al Omeir is also the founder of the digital media outlet Elaph. His acquisition of Maroc Soir positioned the group within a transnational elite media network with strong political affiliations in both Morocco and the Gulf region.

As of 2025, there have been no public disclosures of changes in the group’s ownership or board structure, and Al Omeir continues to maintain ultimate control.

Mohammed Haitami is the Chairman and CEO of Maroc-Soir SA, as well as Director of Publications. He took the helm in 2013 and continues to lead the group’s editorial and commercial strategy. Known for his close alignment with the Moroccan establishment, Haitami plays a central role in maintaining the group’s pro-government editorial stance. Prior to joining Maroc Soir, he held senior roles in Moroccan state media and communication.

Source of funding and budget

According to media professionals and analysts interviewed in May 2024 and March 2025, Maroc Soir Group derives the majority of its revenues from advertising and print sales. Advertising accounts for roughly 65% of its income, while copy sales contribute the remaining 35%.

The company does not publish annual financial reports, nor does it disclose revenue breakdowns for individual titles. This opacity makes it difficult to independently assess its commercial sustainability or the extent of any informal state subsidies or preferential advertising contracts.

Editorial independence

Maroc Soir Group—particularly its lead publication Le Matin—is widely regarded as loyal to the Moroccan monarchy. Le Matin is often described in independent assessments as a royalist or pro-government outlet, with a substantial portion of its editorial space dedicated to covering royal events and public appearances. The paper maintains a dedicated section focused exclusively on the activities of King Mohammed VI, often echoing official government narratives without challenge or critical analysis.

This editorial stance is consistent with its ownership structure and longstanding political positioning. While no formal editorial statute has been published, and no independent oversight mechanism exists to ensure editorial autonomy, the group continues to function as a de facto communication arm of the monarchy.

July 2025

Media assets

Agency: MAP

Print: Maroc Le Jour, Al Yaoum Al Maghribi

TV: M24

Radio: RIM

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

MAP is a public institution under the authority of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication. According to Moroccan law, its highest governing body is the Administrative Council, which is formally chaired by the Head of Government—although this role may be delegated to the Minister of Communication.

The Council is entirely composed of representatives of state authorities, including the royal court, government ministries, and other official institutions. This structure leaves little room for editorial or institutional autonomy from political power.

In May 2023, Fouad Arif was appointed Director General (PDG) of MAP by royal decree. He succeeded the late Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, who passed away in April 2023. Prior to his appointment, Arif served as MAP’s bureau chief in Paris, where he led the agency’s international reporting operations. Known for his diplomatic acumen and loyalty to the monarchy, Arif now oversees MAP’s editorial direction and strategic partnerships, including its leadership role in the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN) for 2025–2026.

Source of funding and budget

While MAP no longer releases detailed public financial reports, available information and expert interviews conducted in May 2024 confirm that the agency receives more than 50% of its funding directly from the government.

The most recent official data (from 2021) listed MAP’s annual budget at MAD 318 million (approx. USD 35.9 million). Subsequent estimates suggest that the budget has remained stable, though the agency has likely increased its digital and audiovisual investments through internal reallocation rather than external funding increases.

Editorial independence

MAP operates explicitly as the official voice of the Moroccan state. Its core mandate is to promote and disseminate state policies and narratives, both domestically and internationally. An independent content analysis conducted for this report in May 2023 and repeated in March–April 2024 and March 2025 confirmed that MAP’s reporting consistently exhibits a pro-government editorial line, particularly in political and foreign affairs coverage. This bias is evident in story selection, framing, and tone, with little to no critical scrutiny of state institutions or actors.

Although MAP has codified its operations through internal rulebooks—such as an Ethical Charter and a Charter on the Use of Information Resources—these documents serve more as internal operational guidelines than enforceable protections of editorial freedom. They do not establish mechanisms for independence, pluralism, or accountability.

MAP has instituted the role of a “mediator”, a professional appointed by the Administrative Council to handle audience feedback and complaints. The mediator’s responsibilities include responding to questions and concerns submitted by the public, consulting with newsroom staff regarding the issues raised, and submitting an annual summary of public feedback to MAP’s Director General. However, the mediator lacks structural independence and is accountable solely to MAP’s leadership, limiting the position’s potential to influence policy or safeguard journalistic standards.

July 2025

The royal house is known to have stakes in the following media outlets: La Nouvelle Tribune (a newspaper run by the publisher Impression Presse Edition in which the royal family has shares via two SNI subsidiaries, namely Ohio and Wafa Assurances); Medi1 Radio (a radio channel run by the company Radio Mediterranee Internationale, in which the company Societe Financiere de Gestion et de Placement, fully owned by the royal family, held shares) and Medi1TV (a television channel in which SNI has a stake, via two of its subsidiaries) were sold to the state-run SNRT.