Morocco hosts first Future Media Initiative conference on new media, youth, and football

The first edition of the international conference, launched under the Future Media Initiative (FMI), kicked off on Thursday, focusing on the rise of new media powers and the role of young people and social media in shaping digital narratives.

The event brought together over 150 journalists, content creators, and media professionals to explore the intersection of traditional and new media, using football as a strategic anchor and highlighting its socio-economic impact in Morocco.

Panels examined the rise of new media players, the impact of technological revolutions on the emerging information landscape, and the ways young people and content creators are reshaping narratives through TikTok, podcasts, and other formats. 

Other discussions addressed social media’s influence on democracy, freedom of expression, and social cohesion, tackling challenges such as disinformation and regulation, and exploring how Morocco and Africa can support creators in building a responsible and sustainable media ecosystem. 

The conference also considered how reliable information can be ensured in the digital age and the role of media in developing Moroccan football toward 2030.

Omar Al Khiyari, adviser to the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, highlighted the Future Media Initiative, an international conference bringing together hundreds of participants from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

The event, he told Hepsress, aims to foster dialogue between global media and content creators, with exclusive visits to Morocco’s stadiums, hotels, and infrastructures prepared for the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup.

Al Khiyari stressed that the initiative reflects Morocco’s broader development strategy, which extends far beyond football. 

He called it “a very interesting opportunity for participants to discover Morocco’s many dimensions and see how its global development strategy is multisectoral.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ismail El Hassani, co-founder of the FMI, said the event aligns with the Royal vision, which has elevated sports to a fundamental human right, and Morocco’s achievements in sports and infrastructure. 

He recalled that in a 2008 letter to the National Sports Assembly in Bouznika, King Mohammed VI urged sports journalists to act with full freedom and responsibility and respect journalistic ethics.

For El Hassani, human rights and journalistic ethics are essential and sometimes clash with increasingly advanced technologies, which must be navigated with discernment and clarity.

Social media impact

Abdellilah Djihene, CEO of Djihene Academy, Sorbonne lecturer, and 2015 Grappling World Champion, highlighted the growing influence of social media. 

“You have to realize it’s here, and you’ll have to deal with it,” she told Hespress English, noting that these platforms already account for 3% of global GDP and could reach 15% within a decade. 

Beyond economics, Djihene emphasized how social media is reshaping politics, elections, and sports. 

“It creates and broadcasts history differently,” she explained, adding that it provides young people with new ways to connect, share, and build their name worldwide.

Morocco prep reviewed

British content creator James Humble emphasized, in a statement to Hespress English, the role of social media in promoting Morocco as a safe and attractive destination for football fans. 

As a new Muslim, he sees social media as a way to show that Morocco is secure and welcoming, encouraging visitors not only for the tournaments but also to experience the country itself.

José Álvarez, a Spanish journalist from El Chiringuito, emphasized that the media is crucial for shaping public perception, warning that if coverage in Spain is inaccurate, people could get a false image of what is happening in Morocco.

He also hailed Morocco’s progress toward the 2030 World Cup it will co-host with Spain. 

“Everything is improving, stadiums, infrastructure, and above all, people’s passion for football,” he told Hespress English, highlighting the Moroccan federation’s efforts and the shared goal of both countries. 

Alvarez emphasized that “Morocco is getting ready in a really good way.”.