High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (Morocco)
| Haute Autorité de la Communication Audiovisuelle (French) الهيأة العليا للاتصال السمعي البصري (Arabic) | |
Location of HACA headquarters in Rabat | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2002 |
| Jurisdiction | Morocco |
| Headquarters | Rabat, Morocco 33°59′13″N 6°51′07″W / 33.987°N 6.852°W |
| Agency executive |
|
| Website | www |
The High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (French: Haute Autorité de la Communication Audiovisuelle; HACA) is an independent constitutional body responsible for the regulation of the audiovisual media sector in Morocco. Established in 2002, the authority ensures the freedom of audiovisual communication, the protection of pluralism, and the respect of human rights and ethical principles in national broadcasting.[1]
Mandate and Missions
HACA operates under a constitutional mandate to oversee both public and private radio and television operators. Its primary missions include:[2]
- Licensing: Granting licenses to private radio and television stations.
- Monitoring: Ensuring compliance with legal requirements regarding content, advertising, and electoral coverage.
- Ethics: Promoting ethical standards and the protection of minors in media.
- Sovereignty: Advocating for "informational sovereignty" and the protection of the national media landscape against global disinformation.[3]
Modern Challenges (2025–2026)
AI and Disinformation
In late 2025, HACA president Latifa Akherbach highlighted the growing threat of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in fueling sophisticated disinformation campaigns. She called for the development of a comprehensive legal framework to address the "legal vacuum" that threatens media trust.[4]
Social Media Regulation
As of 2026, the Moroccan government, in coordination with HACA, accelerated plans for a regulatory framework to monitor digital platforms and social media influencers. This initiative aims to align national standards with global digital governance trends while preserving freedom of expression.[5]
Gender Representation
HACA has actively pushed for a more balanced and ethical portrayal of women in the Moroccan news media, emphasizing the need for professional newsrooms to eliminate gender-based stereotypes.[6]
International Cooperation
HACA is a founding member of the African Network of Communication Regulatory Authorities (RIARC). In December 2025, the authority participated in the First Dialogue Forum in Dakar between Francophone media regulators and global digital platforms to discuss content moderation and digital sovereignty.[7] The agency also participates in international observation missions, such as the 2025 election monitoring mission in Benin.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "About HACA". HACA Official. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "L'Etat marocain et la HACA au cœur de la lutte contre la désinformation". Maroc Hebdo. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Media: Morocco advocates for continental informational sovereignty". Powers of Africa. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Akherbach: AI fuels disinformation as legal vacuum threatens media trust". Morocco World News. December 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Morocco plans regulatory framework to monitor social media". Hespress EN. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "HACA pushes for ethical, more balanced portrayal of women". Morocco World News. May 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "HACA takes part in Dakar in the first dialogue forum". Le7tv. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Morocco's audiovisual regulator on election observation mission in Benin". Assahafa. Retrieved 4 February 2026.