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III

Weekly highlights

Private radio stations

Business model warning

n The High Authority for Audiovisual

Communication delivers its diagnosis

n Structural problems in advertising reve-
nues

n An offering provided by 13 operators
broadcasting 20 radio services
years already! Since 2006, when the
15 very first licenses were granted, private

radio stations have become part and par-
cel of Moroccans' daily lives. Over the
years, the airwaves have helped people speak more
freely and forge strong links, via the Internet, not
only in Morocco but also with a large and diverse
diaspora.
According to the High Authority for Audiovi- «Even in the world of digital communications, radio reaches more people than any other media platform», says United Nations Secretary-
sual Communication (HACA), «by the end of 2021, General Antonio Guterres (Ph. L’Economiste)
the national private radio offering is provided by 13 people on the capacities of mobilization, social inclu- digital formats», say HACA’s managing directors.
operators broadcasting 20 FM radio services, inclu- sion, and promotion of pluralism of opinion, inclu- From now on, new development levers are needed,
ding 7 radio stations with national coverage, 4 radio ding in remote areas of the country. experts agree. "The economic emergency that the
stations with multi-regional coverage, 2 networks However, despite all these multiple and concrete sector is experiencing at this time calls for a profes-
of 8 regional stations, 1 multi-local radio station in achievements, the development of the private ra- sional upgrade or the establishment - by the govern-
addition to a bouquet of 11 radio stations broadcast dio offering remains constrained by several factors. ment - of a vision in the short, medium, and long
via the Internet». Among these factors, difficulties related to the busi- term to support the digital transformation of compa-
Between 2007 and 2021, HACA has assigned ness model or the major constraints induced by the nies and of the sector and the upgrade of the business
491 frequencies for the broadcasting of private radio economic crisis coupled with the pandemic (Co- model», recommends the regulatory body.
services. According to the High Authority for Audio- vid-19) with the collapse of advertising revenues... For the moment, the situation is very critical and
visual Communication, «Private radio stations have This has accelerated many weaknesses in the entire complex for this sector.
managed to build a link of great proximity and an ecosystem of private radio stations. In other words, But beware, the solution does not lie only in the
inclusive relationship with citizens by allowing for the model will have to be reinvented. financing! According to the regulator, "the develop-
the expression of all social, linguistic, territorial, heri- Today, the business model of classical radios, ment of the private radio sector in Morocco is not
tage, and cultural diversities». which is mainly based on advertising funding, has dependent only on financial and economic levers to
This is evidenced by the strong mobilization of reached a dead end. It is subject to structural pro- be implemented or reformed... The solution also lies
the radio waves during the national campaign against blems. «The model is showing its limits in an adver- in the consolidation of trust and professional ethics
the spread of Covid-19 or the monitoring and natio- tising market coveted by the GAFAM. The model with the promotion of quality journalism to streng-
nal coverage of the general elections of September must therefore urgently adapt to the changing media then the link with society and with citizens.o
08, 2021... So many tangible examples that inform consumption modes or to the strong competition of Amine RBOUB

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Friday 18 February 2022