Moroccan TV Programming in Ramadan: An Analysis of Gender Representations

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore how gender representations are portrayed through the examination of the salient images and messages latent in a prime-time comic series entitled ‘Kenza F’Douar’ (Kenza in the village) that was aired during the holy month of Ramadan in 2014 on 2M which is a Moroccan state-owned television channel. The study adopts the textual representation approach and draws heavily on the critical discourse analysis. The findings point to the absence of a coherent and consistent policy by the domestic outlet towards the gender issue in the series. The paper also reveals that the gender representations as manifested in the program are not compatible with the institutional endeavor to counter the perpetuation of stereotypical portrayals on the national media.