Knayaz
Algiers, Jan 12 -. After fifty years of state monopoly “single screen”, the Algerian authorities have decided to partially open the field of audiovisual information to authorize the creation of television and private radio
law, not without controversy, was announced over two years ago this week and presented to Members of Parliament by the Minister of Communication, Abdelkader Mesahel.
According to the bill, candidates create new TV channels or radio must be Algerian and must justify that social capital is “purely domestic”.
Also, some of the requirements including the new standard is that professional journalists should be between the shareholders of the company.
addition, 60% of national programs should be disseminated and produced Algeria and 20% of this fee will be devoted to audiovisual works and movies.
opening comes 25 years after the Algerian authorities give the first steps towards pluralism, with the reform of the Constitution in 1989.
Since then, the North African country’s fundamental law enshrines the principle of freedom of expression and the ability to create private posts.
But unlike what happens with the written press, radio and television will be supervised by a Media Regulatory Authority (ARA).
The mission of this agency will ensure the free exercise of audiovisual activity, public sector impartiality and respect for the plurality of streams of thought and opinion in the various programs.
In addition, the ARA, which shall consist of nine members appointed by the head of state and the presidents of the two parliamentary chambers, have the ability to stop the spread of a chain and seize any material that, according to your criteria or prejudicial to public order, safety or morals.
Despite restrictions, the new law will end a paradoxical situation in the country, where they have beyond state television emerged in recent years several private channels are based in different countries of the Gulf, but whose emissions are produced and directed by Algerian national audience.
However, these channels such as Al or Al Nahar Shuruk can only be seen through satellite dishes because they are housed in satellites Nilesat or Hotbird.
“The opening of the audiovisual field in Algeria is, first, a popular claim,” he told Efe Bomdol Kadi, editor of Al Shuruk television, which also owns the newspaper of the same name.
Kadi, “it is unacceptable that a regime that calls itself democratic and supports diversity of opinion through the existence of opposition parties, hold a monopoly over the image.”
this professional, the new law “a positive step” despite the existence of “certain gaps that eventually have to be rectified.”
Meanwhile, Mohamed Benalia, editor of the Al Nahar TV, which also owns a newspaper in Arabic, believes that it has become imperative to offer viewers and national information products “as Algerians are, force importers of programs. “
Benalia also believes that the new law, despite being a positive development, “imperfect” and requires that certain aspects are corrected.
One point that has caused discomfort for professionals and has caused great controversy in the print media is the draft of Article 7 which states that you can only create interest channels.
many journalists and much of the opposition this restriction is a way to limit free speech and to keep under control the audioviusual field.
Before the criticism raised, the Algerian Minister of Communication to Members promised review of this item and stated that responds to the controversy “a misunderstanding due to a translation error (Article) from French into Arabic.”
Algerians not seem to be following with much interest the discussions raised about the new standard, although monitoring confess his attraction to private satellite channels currently broadcast.
“Personally, I see public television for two years.’s a propaganda tool in the hands of the government, should play a role when the public interest,” said Mokhtar, an Algerian retired.
The same view
Louisa, mother of family and working in a foreign bank, who opts for private broadcasters are a “godsend” that allowed viewers “zap mediocrity of television programs state “.
(Reuters)
- Algiers
- Algeria
- Press Freedom
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