Moroccan Radio Show Suspended Over Editorial Control Concerns

The decision, which follows a self-referral by the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication, was made after the CSCA noted in the program broadcast on June 16, 2020, a failure to comply with the regulations in force regarding editorial responsibility and control of the airwaves.

The comments made by the guest on the program, who was commenting on international news, were monitored and analyzed by the Higher Council. After questioning the Radio and taking note of its response to the request for explanation, the CSCA concluded that the incriminated remarks were "likely to incite violence and hatred". For the Higher Council, which justifies its decision, the guest of the program, presented on the air as a "political and economic analyst of Radio MFM", also failed to "the obligation of seriousness and rigor in speaking", contained in the Radio’s specifications.

Furthermore, the Higher Council condemned the lack of rigor of the program host who did not know how to "control the airwaves" and did not provide "clarification elements allowing the listener to recognize the remarks constituting a breach of the obligation of balance of information", as recommended by law n°77-03 on audiovisual communication.