ANHRI has serious reservations about the bill and demands more reform
ANHRI expressed its concern over the new media bill endorsed by the Ministers Council to be introduced at the parliament to pass following discussion and vote. The bill as a whole is considered a step forward, especially in terms of abolishing the imprisonment penalty for journalists in publication cases. However, extortionate fines and elastic wording remain, which means that freedom of expression is still restricted.
The Algerian president had announced the abolishment of imprisonment in publication cases among a package of political and legislative reform following the wave of protests that reached the country, influenced by the Arab Spring. The protests which started last February demanded, among other demands, the lifting of the state of emergency.
Nominal liberation of the media
The bill also includes rules for establishing news satellite channels or radio stations. Although private channels were not allowed beforehand, yet there are now many terms and conditions that restrict the independence of the news channels, especially in case of applying the proposal of establishing an authority to regulate the audio-visual sector, and obtaining a license from the authorities precedently. As for private newspapers, they require approval from the Authority Control of publications.
Press freedom still incomplete
The imprisonment penalty has indeed been abolished, however, there are several articles that restrict freedom of opinion and expression, such as extortionate fines which range between 30000 and 500000 Dinars (300 and 5000 Euro). The journalist has to pay the fine, and not the institution or the newspaper he works for. It is worth noting that the average salary of a journalist is approximately 20000 Dinars (200 Euro). Hence, the amount of the fine is a heavy burden on a journalist’s shoulders and would make him avoid writing on corruption cases or controversial issues that could subject him to a fine he cannot pay and eventually will be sent to jail for not paying, or will have to leave the profession altogether.
The elastic wording of some articles restrict press freedoms, such as the articles on maintaining public security and the requirements of the state security and national defense, as well as the requirements of foreign policy, economic interests of the country, functions of public service, the constitution and the laws of the republic, the cultural and spiritual values of the nation, the national identity and national unity, etc. Such articles will allow the authorities to punish a journalist or a newspaper when they cross the lines.
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