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Morocco World
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
French Culture Minister Visits Moroccan Pavilion at Cannes Film Festival
Rabat — French Culture Minister Rachida Dati made a visit on Sunday to Morocco's pavilion at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, which is currently running from May 13-24. The visit gave young Moroccan filmmakers selected for the Morocco-France co-production workshop a chance to meet Dati. The Moroccan emerging talents presented their fiction and animation feature film projects during the French minister visit. In a statement to Morocco's central news agency (MAP), Dati said it was 'a pleasure to visit the Moroccan pavilion, which always welcomes many people and is very open.' Morocco's Secretary-General of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication Abdelaziz El Bouzdaini, and the President of the French National Center for Cinema and Animation (CNC), Gaetan Bruel, joined the minister during the visit. Speaking of cinema cooperation between Morocco and France, Dati recalled that the agreement signed last year with Moroccan Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid is already showing results. She said that the professional young Moroccans benefited from the agreement and 'received joint support from Moroccan Cinema Center (CCM) and its French counterpart.' Moroccan youth engagement in gaming, video, and animation film sectors received commend from the minister, describing the sectors as 'high-growth' areas in Morocco. 'This expertise is very special, and we in France could also benefit from it.' 'This is a cooperation between equals where we have much to gain,' Dati added. She suggested it was time to consider the next steps, as 'we are already very advanced' one year after signing the agreement. Read also: The Promises and Perils of Morocco's Cinematic Renaissance El Bouzdaini, who also serves as interim director of CCM, explained that following the bilateral agreement signed in 2024, a joint call for applications was launched months ago. Out of about twenty projects received, five were selected, mostly from young directors working on their first or second films. 'Business-to-business meetings were organized today alongside the Festival,' allowing these project leaders to meet with about fifteen co-producers to discuss collaboration opportunities, he said. Two projects were presented to the minister, namely a 3D animated feature film and a more traditional cinema project that incorporates artificial intelligence elements with a nod to animation. Morocco has a strong presence at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, with a pavilion set up by the CCM at the international village and a stand at the film market dedicated to promoting Moroccan cinema. Tags: 78th Cannes Film FestivalCannes festivalMoroccan cinemaMorocco France
Morocco World
16-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's New Social Media Law: HACA to Expand Authority Under Bensaid's Plan
Doha – Morocco is unleashing a regulatory arsenal against global tech giants. The sweeping initiative aims to bring the digital Wild West under state supervision after years of unfettered operation. With a stroke of legislative authority, the North African country intends to rein in platforms that have become powerful shapers of public opinion, cultural values, and social behavior. This bold power play positions Morocco at the vanguard of regional efforts to assert national sovereignty over virtual spaces previously dominated by Silicon Valley corporations. 'The anarchic proliferation of social networks and their social impact clearly demonstrates the necessity of preparing a complete national legal framework capable of accompanying digital transformations, and protecting the values of societal cohesion,' declared Minister of Culture, Youth and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid. He presented the plan before the Commission of Education, Culture and Communication at the Chamber of Representatives on Wednesday, stressing that the legislation would protect societal values 'without infringing on freedom of expression.' The minister's department is currently developing what he described as a 'robust, coherent and complete' framework before submitting it to the legislative process. The proposed regulations target platforms serving Moroccan audiences or generating revenue from the country's advertising market. Such companies will face new obligations, including mandatory appointment of legal representatives within Morocco. Bensaid asserted this measure would overcome 'the legislative void that gives foreign digital platforms freedom to work without effective surveillance.' It would also provide 'a practical mechanism for activating censorship and sanctions in cases of violations or lack of cooperation with national authorities.' According to a previous ministerial study, nearly 80% of information presented as exclusive on these platforms proves to be false, misleading, or manipulated. This statistic shows the urgency of intervention in a country where internet penetration has reached 91% among urban residents—a substantial jump from 76% in 2023. Moroccans now spend daily hours online, with 43% of young Moroccans aged 18-29 devoting between three and five hours daily to social media platforms, according to a 2024 study by OpinionWay Maroc and Saga Communication. HACA gains unprecedented powers in digital sphere The cornerstone of Morocco's digital regulation strategy involves dramatically expanding the authority of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA). This institution will transition from a traditional media regulator to a powerful digital watchdog with expansive jurisdiction over the online space. 'We are working to extend HACA's competencies to allow it to regulate this domain according to a perspective combining freedom of expression, protection of the public, and digital justice,' Bensaid stated. The minister added that 'maximum priority' would be given to 'the state's role in protecting the public from negative effects of digital content.' Among the key elements of this initiative, Bensaid pinpointed 'a precise definition' of 'digital platform' services or online content-sharing platforms (social networks), as well as subjecting providers to 'clearly articulated legal obligations' aimed at structuring the relationship between the state and digital actors. The expanded powers will enable HACA to monitor platforms even without a physical presence in Morocco. The regulator can demand periodic reports on content moderation policies, complaint handling mechanisms, and statistics on removed content. HACA will also gain authority to order content removal or restriction, particularly for material promoting violence, terrorism, racial or religious discrimination, or spreading misinformation. 'This is an essential step to overcome regulatory barriers regarding sovereignty and ensure that international digital actors are held accountable and controlled,' Bensaid told lawmakers. This initiative will draw heavily on international experience, particularly the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which came into force in 2023. The minister called it 'one of the most advanced texts globally' for online services regulation. The European framework imposes strict obligations regarding transparency, combating illegal content, and ensuring user safety, especially for minors. Notably, this is not the first time Morocco has considered expanding HACA's authority to digital platforms. In 2019, then-Minister of Culture Mohamed Laâraj supported the idea of extending the regulator's powers to cover online content, advocating for its development within an appropriate legal framework. However, that initiative never progressed beyond preliminary discussions and did not advance to the Secretariat General of the Government. Platforms face strict content and financial obligations Digital platforms will confront stringent new requirements under the proposed legislation. They must implement 'efficient content moderation systems' using algorithms that automatically detect problematic material. These automated tools must identify and address content related to violence, hate speech, false information, and inappropriate material targeting minors. 'Digital platforms will be required to counter false information immediately,' Bensaid explained. This applies especially to content 'inciting violence, terrorism, racial or religious discrimination.' Platforms must establish transparent reporting mechanisms for swift response to complaints. The minister noted this would promote 'preventive responsibility' by enabling platforms to 'intervene before situations escalate.' For child protection, the legislation mandates age-appropriate content classification, parental control activation, and prohibition of advertising exploiting children's vulnerability. 'Platforms must take measures to protect young users from harmful or inappropriate content,' Bensaid said. This includes 'categorization by age group, activation of parental control tools, banning advertisements that exploit minors' vulnerability or promote harmful products, and removing any content that could harm psychological or behavioral development.' Financial transparency requirements form another crucial element of the framework. Platforms generating advertising revenue in Morocco must 'respect fiscal transparency, collaborate with financial authorities, and potentially submit to financial restrictions in case of violations,' according to the minister. These companies will need to cooperate with the General Tax Administration, Bank Al-Maghrib, and the Exchange Office to ensure compliance with Moroccan financial regulations. Growing government concern over digital 'anarchy' The new legislation reflects mounting official anxiety about unregulated online content. Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi has repeatedly voiced concern about social media's impact on Morocco's institutions and society. In December 2024, Ouahbi warned that social media, particularly Facebook, posed 'a serious threat to judicial independence.' He criticized individuals, including former judges turned lawyers, who publicly challenge court decisions on these platforms. 'We cannot allow chaos to continue. If necessary, we stop the caravan, discipline the dogs, and then resume our path,' Ouahbi stated, rejecting the trend of labeling officials as corrupt without evidence. Earlier, in September 2024, Ouahbi announced plans to introduce strict penalties in the penal code for social media misconduct. 'We are going to put an end to what is happening on TikTok and YouTube, such as filming people's private lives without their permission,' he declared during a television interview. 'Human dignity and private life are sacred and inviolable,' the justice minister asserted, questioning individuals' right to photograph or film others without consent. These concerns come at a time when Moroccans are consuming more media than ever before. According to Kantar's latest Africascope Maghreb 2024 study, urban Moroccans devote 5 hours and 46 minutes daily to media: 2 hours and 57 minutes watching television, 2 hours and 17 minutes online, and 32 minutes tuned to radio. Social media dominates online activity, with Facebook leading at 84% daily usage, followed by WhatsApp at 70%, and Instagram at 60%. The government's initiative represents Morocco's entry into the global movement toward digital sovereignty, joining countries worldwide seeking to assert control over their digital spaces. If adopted, these regulations would fundamentally transform the relationship between Moroccan authorities, international tech giants, and the millions of Moroccans who increasingly live their lives online. Many civil society organizations, however, have voiced alarm over the potential implications for digital freedoms, cautioning that the proposed framework may offer legal cover for expanding state censorship and surveillance. The vague language around 'protecting social values' is seen by critics as a Trojan horse for censorship—a velvet glove concealing a fist—capable of weaponizing morality to stifle dissent and sweep away legitimate political expression under the guise of public interest.
Morocco World
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
First Moroccan Institute for Music, Choreographic Art to Open in Rabat
Rabat – The National Higher Institute of Music and Choreographic Art (INSMAC) will officially open at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, with registration beginning after the results of the 2025 baccalaureate exams are released in July. The Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication made the announcement yesterday, saying that the upcoming launch is part of the country's strategy to develop art education, support creativity, and boost cultural and creative industries. The ministry explained that the institute will be the first of its kind in Morocco, located in the heart of Rabat, near the Mohammed V Theater. Built on a space of over 9,000 square meters, the institute aims to become a center of excellence for academic training and scientific research in both music and choreographic art. This new institution is part of Morocco's national efforts to promote artistic education, the ministry added. It will focus on training a new generation of artists, educators, and creative professionals who can meet the needs of the cultural market in Morocco and abroad. The institute will also encourage high-level academic research in music and choreography, while honoring the rich cultural heritage of Morocco. It will follow an integrated approach that connects the fields of music and dance to offer a well-rounded education that combines artistic excellence, technical skill, and open-minded thinking. INSMAC will offer programs under the Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD system. The training will include practical and theoretical courses, such as music and dance techniques, cross-disciplinary subjects, and general education that responds to the modern challenges of the cultural sector, according to the ministry. It added that the institute will be equipped with modern infrastructure that meets international standards. This includes a 400-seat theater, a high-tech recording studio, multi-purpose classrooms, lecture halls, a media library, as well as a café and a restaurant. The ministry concluded that this project reaffirms its commitment to improving the quality of art education in Morocco, strengthening the country's musical identity, and training talented individuals who can support the growth of cultural and creative industries, both nationally and internationally. Tags: INSMACMorocco's Ministry of CultureMusic education
Maroc
14-05-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Moroccan Gaming Industry Expands with Two Partnership Agreements
Two partnership agreements aimed at promoting the gaming industry were signed on Tuesday in Rabat between the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (Culture Department), the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation and the Office for Professional Training and Work Promotion (OFPPT). These two agreements, which are part of the national strategy to stimulate the digital economy 'Digital Morocco 2030', aim to pave the way for a video game industry in Morocco and enable young people to invest in this promising sector. Signed by Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication Mehdi Bensaid and Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Azzedine El Midaoui, the first agreement covers the creation of Game Labs in public university spaces and the introduction of gaming training courses at Moroccan public universities. The courses will be given to students at technical university diploma level, bachelor's degree and master's programs. The second agreement, inked by Bensaïd and OFPPT's Director General Loubna Tricha, aims to develop training programs in vocational training establishments. Three qualifying training courses will be launched, namely e-sport caster, e-sport streamer and video game laboratory. In a statement to the press, Bensaid stressed that these two agreements are part of the Ministry's strategy to promote the gaming industry in Morocco, recalling that the video game market has exceeded $300 billion in revenues worldwide. The Ministry, he continued, is working to attract foreign direct investors, encourage the creation of national companies and start-ups, and support Moroccan skills in this field. For his part, El Midaoui detailed that the new training courses will begin in September 2025 at universities in the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region, before being expanded nationwide starting the 2026-2027 academic year. This initiative focuses on adapting university training to the needs of the gaming industry job market as well as promoting employment opportunities, he added. In turn, Tricha expressed OFPPT's commitment to providing infrastructure and equipment needed to guarantee the success of this initiative. MAP: 13 mai 2025
Ya Biladi
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Chellah to host lyrical gala celebrating 10 years of Italian-Moroccan cultural cooperation
The10th anniversary of Italian-Moroccan cooperation in preserving cultural heritage will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 13 at the Chellah archaeological site near Rabat. Organized by Morocco's Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the event will feature the inauguration of a photographic and interactive exhibition, and a lyrical gala presented by the Italian Embassy, the Italian Cultural Institute of Rabat, and Cidim (Italian National Music Committee). Young talents from the Accademia Musicale Chigiana—including soprano Angelica Lapadula, mezzo-soprano Sveva Pia Laterza, tenor Paolo Mascari, and pianist Francesco De Poli—will perform works by Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, Bellini, and Mozart. Morocco's Minister of Culture Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, Italian Ambassador Armando Barucco, and the director of the Italian Development Cooperation Agency Isabella Lucaferri will attend. The concert is part of the «Young Musical Talents in the World» project, supported by Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its global cultural network.
