Morocco is set to become the first African country to join TV5 Monde governance,which includes France,Switzerland,Belgium,Canada,Monaco and Quebec.
It is a major diplomatic and cultural milestone demonstrating Morocco’s central role in the French-speaking global community,media,arts,business… The move will also strengthen Morocco’s soft-power and nation branding across the 400 million people in the Francophone world.
In a letter sent lately to the Swiss government,which holds the rotating presidency of TV5 Monde’s funding states,Moroccan Minister of Culture,Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid expressed the Kingdom’s interest in joining governance of TV5MONDE and pledged adherence to the network’s editorial independence standards.
Once the process is completed,Morocco will become the first African state to gain membership in this multilateral body overseeing the French-speaking audiovisual network.
Founded in 1984,TV5 Monde is not just an international TV network but a leading French-language soft power instrument,broadcast in more than 400 million homes around the world,available in ten channels and subtitled in twelve languages,not to mention its streaming platform TV5MONDE+.
The channel is now present in more than 200 countries and territories,making it one of the most broadcast TV networks in the world. For Morocco,integrating this governance is a highly strategic step. French language is very popular in Morocco and the Francophonie has always been a pillar of cultural and diplomatic policy. But it’s not just about funding. TV5 Monde’s annual budget reaches 120 million euros,and Morocco’s accession to the network governance body will give it the right to look at the editorial orientations of an international audiovisual network that shapes the image of the Francophonie in the world.
Joining TV5MONDE Governance will also be seen a recognition of Morocco’s role in Africa and Francophonie. It will strengthen the Kingdom’s presence across the African continent. After its return to the African Union in 2017,Rabat increased diplomatic,economic and cultural initiatives,positioning itself as a bridge between Europe,Africa and the Arab world.
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