Rabat: Professionals Highlight the Role of Sports Journalism in Development

Speaking during a panel discussion held as part of the International Forum on Sport, initiated by the House of Representatives under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, participants discussed ways to make sports policies a pillar of human development and socio-economic inclusion.

In this context, Khalid Azdoune, journalist at the national television channel Al Aoula, stated that sports journalism is one of the essential components of public audiovisual service, given its central role in guaranteeing the right of access to sports information, supporting the implementation of public policies related to sport and youth, and strengthening Morocco’s national influence at both continental and international levels.

According to Azdoune, no sports organization can develop without strong, efficient, and modern media capable of accompanying transformations and highlighting achievements.

For his part, Hervé Penot, senior football reporter at the French sports daily L’Équipe, noted that sport represents an important driver of development in Morocco. He considered that the national team’s achievement at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as well as the recent feat of the national U20 team, crowned world champions, have placed the Kingdom on the global football map and, consequently, strengthened its cultural and economic influence.

Sport in general, and football in particular, considered the most popular sport in Africa and in many other parts of the world, constitutes a form of soft power that stimulates long-term economic, social, and cultural development, Penot observed. He also stressed that traditional media should open up to new technologies and strengthen their presence on social networks.

A similar view was expressed by Lino Bacco, sports journalist and co-founder of Radio Mars, who highlighted the important role played by social networks and new media in facilitating communication between teams and supporters. He underlined the need for traditional media outlets to adopt new production models in order to contribute to the development of the profession in Morocco.

According to Bacco, sports journalism has evolved from proximity-based reporting to large-scale journalism, driven by the recruitment of press officers within sports teams and the modernization of communication structures.

Held under the theme “Towards a National Strategy for the Promotion of Sport,” the International Forum on Sport forms part of the work of the thematic group tasked with evaluating the National Sports Strategy 2008–2020. It serves as a space for dialogue and collective reflection on the key levers for the development of national sports policies, with the aim of establishing them as a pillar of human development and socio-economic inclusion.

The forum brings together members of the government and Parliament, representatives of national and international institutions, sports clubs and associations, as well as a wide range of experts, academics, journalists, and sports stakeholders, Moroccan and foreign alike. Discussions will address issues related to governance, financing, training, and sports supervision.

Editorial team/le7tv