Newspapers in Morocco are primarily published in Arabic and French, and to a lesser extent in Berber, English, and Spanish. The large number of media outlets does not equate to a free media environment, and most follow a pro-establishment viewpoint. Media control is concentrated in the hands of the political and business elite.
The royal family is an influential stakeholder in an array of media companies, as are a handful of powerful business figures. Most news and media content is consumed in Arabic, with an increasing prevalence of Darija, the Moroccan Arabic dialect, while the leading business publications are in French. The state controls most domestic broadcasting, while establishment business figures own much of the press; ownership of online media is more diverse, but less transparent.
There were 34.5 million internet users by September 2024, comprising 90.7% of the population (Statista.com).
Let's delve into the historical context and current state of newspapers in Morocco.
Historical Overview
The first newspaper to appear in Morocco was Pedro Antonio de Alarcón's El Eco de Tetuan, which published one edition in March 1860. Later in 1860, two Spanish soldiers fighting in the Hispano-Moroccan War (1859-60) launched El Noticiero, which published 89 editions before ceasing in 1861. The period after the 1880 Madrid Conference saw the rise of al-Moghreb al-Aksa, printed in Spanish by G.T.
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History of Newspapers | Flipsnack.com
MENA Premium Collection
East View offers the Middle Eastern and North African Newspapers Premium collection (MENA Premium). Comprising five in-copyright newspapers from across the region, the MENA Premium collection spans the period of 1956-2021 and offers viewpoints on key events of the 20th century and beyond, including the recent Arab Spring. CRL member institutions automatically receive access to the MENA Premium collection.
Here are some newspapers included in the MENA Premium collection:
- al-Dustūr (الدستور, Jordan, 1967-2000): Founded in 1967, al-Dustūr plays a firm role in the institution of the modern Jordanian press. Known as Jordan’s second daily newspaper in terms of distribution and prominence.
- al-Jumhūrīyah (الجمهورية, Egypt, 1962-1986): Founded in 1953 out of the aftermath of the Egyptian Revolution and having Anwar Sadat as its initial managing director, al-Jumhūrīyah represented a turning point in Egyptian press by being the first to present both opinion and news.
- al-Riyāḍ (الرياض, Saudi Arabia, 1972-1996): Founded in 1956, al-Riyāḍ is independent but closely aligned with the Saudi state. The newspaper was the first to achieve Saudization with its appointed editorial and managerial staff being citizens of that state.
- Filasṭīn (فلسطين, Israel/Palestine, 1956-1967): Founded in 1911, Filasṭīn was one of the most prominent newspapers during the time of Ottoman rule. The paper was shut down on multiple occasions by both Ottoman and British overseers due to its anti-Zionist and Anti-Greek Orthodox positions.
The table below summarizes key newspapers from the MENA Premium collection, highlighting their origins and significance:
| Newspaper | Country | Years | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| al-Dustūr (الدستور) | Jordan | 1967-2000 | Key role in modern Jordanian press |
| al-Jumhūrīyah (الجمهورية) | Egypt | 1962-1986 | First to present both opinion and news in Egyptian press |
| al-Riyāḍ (الرياض) | Saudi Arabia | 1972-1996 | Independent but aligned with Saudi state; first to achieve Saudization |
| Filasṭīn (فلسطين) | Israel/Palestine | 1956-1967 | Prominent during Ottoman rule; known for anti-Zionist stance |
Understanding the historical context and the array of media outlets helps to appreciate the complex media landscape in Morocco.
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