Cultural Change and Communications in Morocco

Abstract

One of the significant, but difficult to measure, factors effecting cultural change is communication. Communication is achieved consciously and unconsciously, passively and deliberately, in many ways. It utilizes, and stimulates, all of man’s traditionally defined senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. And these senses utilize and stimulate communication. In this article we shall consider only the deliberate and conscious manipulation of the senses by certain controlled media of communication, controlled for the purpose of exerting influence. We shall limit our consideration to the use of film, the press, radio, and television, and shall consider their use, and the implications of their use for cultural and social change, with particular reference to Morocco. The observations which follow are subjective—based on personal observation, contact, and involvement since 1957.¹ An attempt at objectivity underlies this study, but it would be less than candid not to admit that one’s experiences and training cannot help but result in conscious and, perhaps more importantly, unconscious biases.