Moroccan Television: A Missed Opportunity for Cultural Enrichment

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Abdelaziz El Amrani
Cultural and literary critic
Morocco

As the holy month of Ramadan nears its end, it is appropriate to provide general observations on the artistic productions aired on Moroccan state-run channels. Some may wonder why I engage with a field typically reserved for art critics. However, as a professor of literary and cultural studies and as a taxpayer contributing to the funding of public broadcasting channels, I find myself compelled to address the pervasive mediocrity characterizing most artistic programs broadcast during the holy month of Ramadan on state-run channels. Silence from specialists and intellectuals in the face of this cultural decline only legitimizes and perpetuates it, ultimately shaping a distorted cultural reality that fails to reflect the depth of Moroccan identity.

Art is not merely a means of entertainment; it is also a powerful tool for national progress. By critiquing power structures and exposing social phenomena that hinder development, art contributes to raising public awareness, highlighting injustices, and shedding light on marginalized communities. In some cases, it has even led to significant legal and social reforms. In Europe, for instance, theatrical and literary works have historically played a crucial role in challenging authority and shaping public opinion. Shakespeare’s plays, for example, revealed the intricacies of political conflict, while Victor Hugo’s novels, particularly Les Misérables, helped raise awareness of social injustice and stimulated discussions on social reform in France.

Similarly, in Italy, the European Renaissance would not have been possible without the decisive role of art in shaping public consciousness and redefining aesthetic and intellectual values. During the Renaissance, art was not merely a reflection of reality; it was a driving force for change and innovation. The works of Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci were instrumental in solidifying humanist thought and reasserting the value of beauty and knowledge. Italian theater, exemplified by commedia dell’arte, also contributed to social and political critique through satirical characters that exposed the flaws of the ruling classes and inspired later reform movements. This artistic renaissance was not a luxury but an expression of a collective ambition to emerge from the darkness of the past into an era of modernity and progress.

If European history provides ample evidence of art’s capacity to drive change, then Morocco, with its rich cultural heritage spanning thousands of years, certainly deserves an artistic production that lives up to this legacy. Unfortunately, however, the content broadcast on Moroccan public channels today neither reflects Moroccan identity nor aligns with the country’s evolving intellectual landscape. Instead, it contributes to the superficialization of collective consciousness through content that lacks depth and creativity.

A closer examination of the themes in Moroccan films, television series, and sitcoms reveals that rather than promoting high-quality content that reinforces positive values, they often perpetuate socially and ethically problematic patterns. For example, some productions normalize illicit relationships, such as a man’s affair with his uncle’s wife, or depict a minor girl entering an exploitative relationship with a man in his fifties—both of which serve to legitimize socially unacceptable behaviors. Additionally, the excessive presence of violent scenes, the use of bladed weapons, and the reliance on crude and vulgar language reflect a decline in public taste rather than an elevation of it. Strikingly, some productions fail to engage with any meaningful social issues, instead revolving around absurd and repetitive storylines—for instance, certain shows dedicate entire episodes to depicting trivial incidents like the theft of cows!

The danger of such content is not merely its poor artistic quality but also its impact on future generations. It reshapes their consciousness according to cultural patterns that do not reflect their true realities, instead reinforcing shallow values that strip art of its transformative potential. European history has witnessed similar periods when art was reduced to mere frivolous entertainment devoid of artistic or intellectual merit. However, these eras were countered by intellectual movements advocating for cultural reform. A prime example is the Enlightenment, which challenged the artistic mediocrity of its time and fostered critical works such as those of Denis Diderot and Montesquieu, whose writings played a role in shaping political and social consciousness.

The continued decline in Moroccan television production signals a troubling deviation from art’s true purpose. Rather than serving as a vehicle for creativity and progress, it has become a tool for perpetuating cultural stagnation and intellectual inertia. Even more concerning is the absence of religious and historical dramas that reflect Morocco’s unique moderate Islam and distinctive national character. With its rich history and profound spiritual and cultural heritage, Morocco possesses countless historical figures worthy of dramatization in productions that highlight the values of tolerance and moderation that have long defined the Moroccan experience. Yet, the current media landscape remains confined to repetitive and superficial narratives that marginalize the country’s civilizational and religious depth, failing to offer any meaningful intellectual or cultural alternatives.

Despite the bleakness of this artistic landscape, there are a few noteworthy exceptions. Some productions have sought to bring about social change by addressing pressing societal issues. For instance, certain works have tackled the complex phenomenon of begging in Morocco and the commercialization of ruqya (spiritual healing), which has often been exploited for profit or to propagate superstitions. These productions not only highlight these challenges but also call for their resolution at both social and human levels. Although such attempts remain limited, they reflect a genuine artistic awareness and a commitment to addressing societal concerns in a way that fosters critical cultural engagement.

As a nation with a profound civilizational legacy, Morocco deserves an artistic sphere that contributes to the intellectual and moral development of its citizens rather than drowning them in a culture of triviality and superficial consumption. Just as European art once overcame periods of mediocrity through the efforts of intellectuals and critics who demanded cultural reform, Morocco needs a similar artistic renaissance—one that restores art to its rightful place as a means of enlightenment and transformation.

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