Latest news with #2M
Ya Biladi
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
2M's World Cup segment not political advertising, says Morocco's audiovisual authority
The High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) has dismissed complaints filed by three opposition parties concerning a segment aired on 2M about the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. Following its meeting on May 8, the Superior Council of Audiovisual Communication concluded that the broadcast did not contain any elements of prohibited or political advertising. The complaints—lodged by the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), the Popular Movement (MP), and the Justice and Development Party (PJD)—claimed that the segment linked the upcoming World Cup to specific government programs, thereby amounting to political promotion. They argued that the content featured electoral messaging that could be perceived as endorsing the executive's accomplishments. In its decision, announced on May 16, HACA stated that the segment did not include any political or financial endorsements of individuals or parties. Instead, it highlighted «citizen engagement around social projects of national interest», without any explicit or implicit reference to a political entity through visual elements (such as symbols, logos, or colors) or auditory cues. «The content in question refers to various social programs. After review, it appears these initiatives are part of national projects launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, and implemented by successive governments over different periods. These programs have already been widely announced and covered in the media», HACA noted in its official communiqué. Therefore, the Council ruled that the segment did not meet the criteria for advertising under Article 2.1 of Law No. 77.03, nor those of prohibited political advertising as defined by Article 2.3 of the same law.
Ya Biladi
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan opposition criticizes government's promotional video as electoral exploitation
A promotional video broadcast on Morocco's second national television channel (2M) and online, titled «Significant Government Achievements Made to Reach the Morocco We Want by 2030, and Our Ambition is Even Greater», has sparked criticism from the opposition. Rachid Hamouni, a Progress and Socialism Party MP, argued that the video represents political exploitation of public resources for electoral purposes. In a written question submitted to parliament, the MP argued that the video raises concerns about its deliberate and misleading fusion of an institutional video meant to serve public interest with promotional advertising. Hamouni pointed out that the video includes references to national symbols and common national values, but in a context designed to sway public opinion in favor of the current government's continuation in the upcoming elections. He stated, «The video implicitly urges the audience to endorse the idea of the government's continuation, essentially winning the upcoming elections, under the guise of aspiring to lead a 2030 World Cup government». The MP argued that the video does not align with the values and principles that the public audiovisual sector is meant to uphold, including pluralism, neutrality, and objectivity, especially in the context of electoral competition. Hamouni also questioned whether the video complies with laws related to political advertising, including Law 77.03 on audiovisual communication, and the provisions on prohibited advertising and false claims that could mislead consumers. Furthermore, Hamouni called for transparency regarding the funding for the production of this promotional video, stating, «The available data (which you can confirm or deny) suggests it was funded by public money». He demanded disclosure of the amounts paid, the parties involved in the production, and how well they align with the terms of the agreements. Hamouni emphasized that providing audiovisual materials with neutrality and objectivity is a duty of public institutions and should be free from any political or electoral exploitation.
Morocco World
14-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's Taxi Unions Urge HACA to Ban inDrive Ad on Public TV
Doha – Professional taxi unions have petitioned Morocco's High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) to cease broadcasting an inDrive advertisement on the public television channel 2M, denouncing it as a provocation to industry professionals. According to converging media reports, the unions submitted a joint statement claiming that 2M's decision to air promotional content for inDrive, which they assert operates without proper licensing in Morocco, prompted them to seek immediate intervention from HACA. 'A flagrant violation' The unions characterized the advertisement as 'a flagrant violation of national laws' and 'a serious threat to the taxi sector's interests.' In their appeal, the unions pointed out that inDrive operates without the necessary permits required under Royal Decree No. 1.63.260. Their petition cited multiple legal frameworks, including Interior Ministry Circular No. 19959 from November 1, 2022, which mandates monitoring illegal transport activities. They also referenced Consumer Protection Circular No. 455, and Law 104.12 concerning price freedom and competition. This latest confrontation marks another chapter in the prolonged struggle between Morocco's traditional taxi services and digital ride-hailing platforms. In a notable incident on November 29, 2024, a confrontation erupted in Casablanca involving taxi drivers and a Russian businessman utilizing inDrive's services. The altercation reportedly resulted in injuries to the businessman and his wife when they attempted to intervene in the dispute. Law enforcement authorities promptly arrested the taxi drivers involved, and the case was referred to court. In response, inDrive issued a statement condemning the attack as a 'serious violation of the law' and called for a thorough investigation, asserting its position as a 'responsible taxpayer and employer' operating in compliance with local regulations. In yet another incident in December 2024, authorities apprehended three taxi drivers in Rabat following a dangerous pursuit of a ride-sharing vehicle near the Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex. The chase, which was captured on video and widely circulated online, resulted in material damage to multiple vehicles and culminated in a roadside confrontation. These incidents lay bare the escalating clash between traditional taxi operators and digital platforms like inDrive, Yango, and Careem, whose operations teeter on the edge of legality within Morocco's transportation sector. On the edge of legality While these companies maintain official business status in Morocco, their transportation services lack formal recognition under current regulations. Addressing the situation, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced in January that the government is conducting comprehensive research to explore potential regulations for the sector. During a House of Councillors meeting, Laftit acknowledged the necessity for dialogue, stating, 'We must sit down and find a solution. We cannot continue like this.' He further noted that while ride-hailing services cannot be formally integrated yet, 'we also cannot pretend they do not exist.' The taxi unions have also forwarded their concerns to the Minister of Interior, requesting intervention regarding the advertisement's broadcast on public television. Meanwhile, former Transportation Minister Mohamed Abdeljalil had emphasized in March 2024 the importance of achieving consensus among public transportation stakeholders before implementing regulations for ride-sharing applications. He then noted that 'small and grand taxis are fulfilling an important role and providing services for Moroccan citizens as they handle the primary public transport needs in Morocco.' The debate has taken on renewed urgency as Morocco gears up to host major international events, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. With millions of visitors expected, the demand for streamlined, reliable transportation is set to surge, heightening pressure on policymakers to address the sector's deep-rooted inefficiencies. On another front, traditional taxi services remain under fire for their rigid pricing structures and selective service practices, which many argue stifle competition. Beyond these issues, the sector is plagued by a deep-seated monopoly system that allows taxi permits to be inherited, fueling economic rent-seeking rather than promoting a fair, merit-based industry. Union representatives continue to push for sweeping reforms, demanding a more equitable permit system that prioritizes professional drivers' rights and ensures proper social security coverage. Tags: indriveride-share apptaxis in Morocco
Morocco World
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco, France Enter New Era of Justice Cooperation with Minister Visit
Doha – Morocco and France signed a joint declaration Monday to strengthen their judicial and legal cooperation, focusing on counterterrorism and organized crime, as part of their strategic partnership. The meeting provided an opportunity to conduct an in-depth review of progress in legal and judicial cooperation between the two countries and explore future collaboration prospects. Moroccan Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi and his French counterpart Gérald Darmanin sealed the agreement in Rabat, building upon the action plan signed in May 2024. The ministers stressed the strategic importance of counterterrorism efforts, acknowledging it as a major threat both nationally and internationally that heavily impacts sovereignty, security, economy, environment, and development of both nations. The ministers reiterated their commitment to address contemporary challenges, including facilitating legal procedures for Moroccan residents in France, particularly regarding personal status and family rights. 'A deep friendship and renewed partnership' Morocco has emerged as a key counterterrorism reference, recently dismantling a major Daesh cell operating across nine cities in February. The operation, led by BCIJ and DGST, arrested twelve suspects and uncovered a sophisticated weapons cache. Since 2002, Morocco has dismantled over 200 terrorist cells linked to Sahel-Sahara, Syrian, and Iraqi networks. 'This visit translates into a deep friendship and a renewed and strengthened partnership between our two countries, linked by a shared history, mutual attachment, and essential relations of brotherhood and solidarity,' Darmanin declared during his interview with 2M on Sunday. The declaration stems from exchanges that began during the development of the May 2024 action plan, incorporating crucial strategic priorities. Both countries affirmed their shared commitment to intensify efforts against these phenomena by mobilizing necessary resources, particularly in the legal domain. 'The more we talk, the more we prevent tragedies' 'The cooperation is excellent,' Darmanin voiced during an interview with 2M on Sunday. 'The exceptional work Morocco does in intelligence and counter-radicalization provides us with substantial information, and we manage to work together to prevent attacks.' 'Even during periods of tension, joint actions have always been carried out between Moroccan and French justice systems,' he added, pointing to the continuous nature of their collaboration. 'The more we dialogue, the more we are able to prevent tragedies.' 'We have reached an agreement on all pending issues,' Ouahbi stated, expressing confidence in the future of judicial cooperation between the two nations. The declaration aims to modernize the judicial system through continuous training of sector professionals, implementation of administrative improvement programs, and legislative development. The ministers agreed on the importance of exchanging expertise across all justice-related fields. The bilateral cooperation rests on a shared legal model, enriched by what the ministers described as 'judicial Francophonie' and close human relations, consolidating shared interests and deep solidarity. Both countries recalled the long tradition of trust and solidarity bonds uniting them. Darmanin proclaimed the declaration 'a significant sign of enhanced cooperation,' while commending Moroccan magistrates' pivotal role alongside their French counterparts in combating terrorism and drug trafficking. Darmanin also talked about the importance of civil law cooperation between the two countries, covering matters such as 'marriages, divorces, child presentation, successions, and economic support.' Expanding judicial frameworks During his visit, Darmanin also met with Morocco's Prosecutor General, Moulay El Hassan Daki, at the headquarters of the Public Prosecutor's Office in Rabat. Their discussions focused on expanding judicial and technical cooperation mechanisms, particularly in fighting organized and transnational crime. The meeting also stressed advances in Morocco's judicial system, especially regarding the independence of judicial authority and the digitalization of procedures. The French minister also met with Mohamed Abdennabaoui, First President of the Court of Cassation and Delegate President of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ). Their discussions also focused on strengthening judicial cooperation and activating the twinning agreement between the Moroccan and French Courts of Cassation. The French minister disclosed plans to improve the confiscation of assets seized from drug traffickers. 'We seize many assets – houses, apartments, cars, sometimes cryptocurrencies – but we confiscate relatively few on both sides of the Mediterranean. This must absolutely be improved,' he articulated. 'In France, out of 1.4 billion euros in seizures, only 300 million euros are actually confiscated, a figure that remains insufficient.' 'France would be less safe without Morocco' During a joint press conference with Ouahbi, Darmanin 'sincerely thanked' Morocco for its cooperation in fighting drug trafficking, particularly regarding the recent arrest of two suspects linked to the Mohamed Amra case in Marrakech. 'These individuals arrested by Moroccan services will, we hope, be sent to French national territory in the coming days to answer for their acts before French justice,' he stated. He also declared that 'without Morocco's work, in this specific case, but also in previous cases, and those I cannot publicly reference, France would be less safe,' Darmanin emphasized, expressing hope that the two suspects would be extradited 'in the coming days.' The justice minister added that 'these individuals arrested by Moroccan services will, we hope, be sent to French national territory in the coming days to answer for their acts before French justice.' After nine months on the run, Mohamed Amra was arrested in late February in Romania and handed over to France. Simultaneously, a broad investigation has led to the indictment of 27 people suspected of helping the drug trafficker in his escape and flight. Amra had escaped while being transferred from his cell in Normandy. A commando had attacked the prison van at a toll booth using a ram-raid vehicle and assault rifles to free him, killing two prison officers and wounding three others. After experiencing tensions a few years ago, relations between Morocco and France have improved significantly since French President Emmanuel Macron voiced strong support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Western Sahara. This visit marks Darmanin's second trip to Morocco in less than a year, following his April 2024 visit as Interior Minister. The cooperation has yielded major results, including the arrest and extradition of major French drug traffickers, notably Félix Bingui in Casablanca and Mohamed Amine Yahiaoui in Marrakech. Darmanin also emphasized the importance of civil law cooperation between the two countries, covering matters such as 'marriages, divorces, child presentation, successions, and economic support.' The enhanced French-Moroccan cooperation follows similar judicial agreements Morocco recently signed with Spain and Portugal. On March 5, Morocco and Spain signed a judicial cooperation declaration in Madrid focusing on cross-border crime fighting, while in January, Morocco and Portugal established a comparable framework in Lisbon Both agreements particularly aimed at preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the three countries will co-host. Read also: Darmanin Seeks to Boost France-Morocco Crime-Fighting Partnership Tags: Gerald darmaninMorocco France Relations
Morocco World
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Darmanin Seeks to Boost France-Morocco Crime-Fighting Partnership
Doha – French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin arrived in Morocco on Sunday for a 24-hour visit aimed at strengthening judicial cooperation between Paris and Rabat, marking his first visit in his current role as justice minister. In an interview with Moroccan television channel 2M's Ihssane Benbel, Darmanin commended the judicial cooperation between the two countries. 'This cooperation is excellent,' he said. 'The exceptional work that Morocco does in terms of intelligence and the fight against radicalization provides us with enormous amounts of information, and we manage to work together to prevent attacks,' the minister articulated. Addressing asset confiscation from drug traffickers, Darmanin disclosed: 'We're talking about houses, apartments, cars, sometimes cryptocurrencies that need to be seized, which Moroccan services do very well. However, we still have a small difficulty between us regarding confiscation.' He stressed that 'in judicial cases, we seize a lot, but we confiscate relatively little on both sides of the Mediterranean. This absolutely needs to be improved.' The minister is set to engage in talks today with Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and the King's Prosecutor General, El-Hassan Daki. Additionally, Darmanin is scheduled to meet with M'hammed Abdenabaoui, First President of the Court of Cassation, which handles extradition matters in Morocco. Key agenda items encompass counter-terrorism efforts and organized crime, with particular focus on the French Agency for Managing and Recovering Seized and Confiscated Assets (Agrasc), which Darmanin believes could assist Morocco in this domain. The two countries are experiencing increasing success in their bilateral cooperation. Moroccan authorities recently dismantled several cells linked to the Islamic State in the Sahel region, preventing planned attacks. The cooperation has also led to notable arrests, including two major French drug lords who were subsequently extradited to France. This visit follows Darmanin's previous engagement in Morocco in April 2024, when he served as Interior Minister and discussed security partnership ahead of the Paris Olympics. During that visit, he voiced high remarks for Morocco's role in apprehending several high-profile French drug traffickers, including Félix Bingui in Casablanca and Mohamed Amine Yahiaoui in Marrakech. Beyond judicial cooperation The minister's visit occurs amid discussions about streamlining the issuance of consular passes, documents essential for France to expel irregular migrants without passports. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau had previously announced an agreement between both countries to expedite the expulsion process for individuals under obligation to leave French territory. Darmanin's current visit amplifies broader diplomatic momentum between France and Morocco. It succeeds recent visits by French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, who established a milestone as the first French government official to visit the southern provinces in the Sahara, and Senate President Gérard Larcher. These diplomatic engagements reflect the renewed partnership between the two countries, particularly following France's official recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara region. The minister also espoused plans to enhance civil law cooperation between Paris and Rabat, contending that improvements would address various matters – including marriages, inheritances, and divorces. Read also: Former French Intelligence Chief: Morocco Has Always Led the Fight Against Terrorism Tags: Gerald darmaninMorocco France Relations
