Moroccan parties expand social media presence as disinformation concerns grow

09:45

By: Azzat Manal

Moroccan parties expand social media presence as disinformation concerns grow

Social media platforms are becoming an increasingly important part of political communication in Morocco, with political parties using Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and X to reach citizens and promote their messages. At the same time, the growing influence of algorithms and the spread of misleading information are raising concerns about the quality of public debate.

A new study published by Morocco’s High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) examines how digital platforms are reshaping political communication and democratic participation. The report, produced by the authority’s working group on regulation and digital media, focuses on both the opportunities created by social networks and the risks associated with disinformation, algorithmic manipulation and political polarization.

The study also analyses the digital activity of 12 political parties represented in Parliament. Researchers collected data between January and May 2026, deliberately selecting a period outside the main electoral campaign in order to obtain a clearer picture of how parties communicate online under ordinary political conditions.

Facebook remained the most widely used platform among the parties examined. The study reviewed 2,651 posts published on the official pages of the 12 parties. TikTok accounted for 925 videos published by six parties, while five parties posted 507 videos on YouTube. On X, the research identified 1,012 posts from four parties. Official party websites were also examined as part of the analysis.

The findings highlight significant differences between platforms. Facebook continues to serve as a major channel for direct communication and interaction with citizens. TikTok, meanwhile, offers parties the possibility of reaching younger audiences through short-form content with strong potential for rapid circulation.

YouTube provides greater space for longer political formats, including explanations, interviews and narrative content. However, the study indicates that political parties have yet to make full use of the platform's potential. X, by contrast, is particularly suited to rapid reactions and the circulation of political statements, allowing messages to quickly enter the wider media conversation. Party websites continue to play an institutional and reference role, although they generally attract less public engagement than social networks.

Beyond measuring party activity, the HACA study examines the broader impact of social media on democratic life. Platforms have increasingly evolved from spaces for personal interaction into important arenas for public discussion, political expression and the exchange of information. This transformation has also created new challenges linked to the way digital content is selected and distributed.

The report draws attention to what HACA working group chair Narjis Rerhaye describes as a form of democracy increasingly shaped by algorithms. Recommendation and ranking systems can influence which political messages users encounter, while limited public understanding of how these systems operate can make transparency and accountability more difficult.

The concerns come as Morocco has been strengthening its regulatory approach to political communication and disinformation. Ahead of the 2026 legislative elections, the HACA adopted rules addressing misleading information and artificially generated electoral content, including restrictions on AI-generated or manipulated material capable of misleading the public or undermining the credibility of electoral debate.

The authority has stressed that managing the digital environment requires more than technological regulation. Institutions, civil society organizations and citizens all have a role to play in promoting responsible digital practices, improving media literacy and encouraging people to consult multiple sources before accepting political information as reliable.

The study therefore places Morocco's growing digital political landscape within a wider debate over how democratic institutions can adapt to rapidly changing technologies. As political parties increasingly move their communication strategies toward social platforms, the challenge will be to preserve open political expression while limiting the impact of disinformation, manipulation and opaque algorithmic systems.