The new information code in Algeria,guarantees freedom of expression
Mr Nacer Mahel Minister of Information said that the new Algerian information code will be the guarantor of freedom of expression and that for the first time it opens the country's domestic audiovisuel industry to the privatre sector according to APS.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/The-new-informa...
The Minister said that the organic law of information was important because it guaranteed freedom of expression in an interview to be published in Africa Asia Monthly.
Mr. Mehal explained that this law which was passed recently by Parliament brings into play many new measures for the communications sector, including the opening up of the audiovisual sector to private
national investors and defines the regulation of activities in Algerian the press in general.
Other guidelines concerned the regulators, one for print and one for broadcasting, in addition to the protection
of moral rights and the social rights of journalists The Minister said that the new law "totally" removed on orders from the president, the deprivation of liberty that existed in the law 90-07, and it reduced crimes from twenty-four to eleven,with fines for perpetrators of defamation or non-compliance with rules. It will be interesting to read the comments of Algerian journalists on the question of fines for defamation which in the past have been used against journalists in Algeria.
Mr Mehal was asked about monopolistic control of media by large industrial and financial groups and said that the new law would prevent this. Infact some newspapers in Algeria are owned by leading business figures and it will be interesting to see how this part of the law is applied. The Minister rightly pointed out that measures against monopolistic control are coming into force in many countries such as the USA and UK.
On the opening up of the audio visual sector to private national investment Mr Mehal said that this has not happened so far because it is awaiting the specific audivisual law which will set the conditions for the creation of Rado and TV channels.
The Minister indicated that public service broadcasting was being expanded in the audiovisal sphere and it was important to reclaim its ratings. He felt it was important to reestablish Algerian domestic TV as against international satellite TV channels which are widely viewed. He felt the way to do this was to encourage "civilized "debate and an exchange of ideas. The key factor is likely to be the quality of programming on Algerian TV channels, Algerians up till now have preferred satellite channels because of their better progammes.
Mr Mehal said that there would be no authorisation of foreign investment in the media sector in Algeria. In a reference to a TV station backed by Arab investors which tried to set up in Paris and failed. This may have been a reference to the ill fated Khalifa TV.
Mr. Mehal explained that this law which was passed recently by Parliament brings into play many new measures for the communications sector, including the opening up of the audiovisual sector to private
national investors and defines the regulation of activities in Algerian the press in general.
Other guidelines concerned the regulators, one for print and one for broadcasting, in addition to the protection
of moral rights and the social rights of journalists The Minister said that the new law "totally" removed on orders from the president, the deprivation of liberty that existed in the law 90-07, and it reduced crimes from twenty-four to eleven,with fines for perpetrators of defamation or non-compliance with rules. It will be interesting to read the comments of Algerian journalists on the question of fines for defamation which in the past have been used against journalists in Algeria.
Mr Mehal was asked about monopolistic control of media by large industrial and financial groups and said that the new law would prevent this. Infact some newspapers in Algeria are owned by leading business figures and it will be interesting to see how this part of the law is applied. The Minister rightly pointed out that measures against monopolistic control are coming into force in many countries such as the USA and UK.
On the opening up of the audio visual sector to private national investment Mr Mehal said that this has not happened so far because it is awaiting the specific audivisual law which will set the conditions for the creation of Rado and TV channels.
The Minister indicated that public service broadcasting was being expanded in the audiovisal sphere and it was important to reclaim its ratings. He felt it was important to reestablish Algerian domestic TV as against international satellite TV channels which are widely viewed. He felt the way to do this was to encourage "civilized "debate and an exchange of ideas. The key factor is likely to be the quality of programming on Algerian TV channels, Algerians up till now have preferred satellite channels because of their better progammes.
Mr Mehal said that there would be no authorisation of foreign investment in the media sector in Algeria. In a reference to a TV station backed by Arab investors which tried to set up in Paris and failed. This may have been a reference to the ill fated Khalifa TV.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/The-new-informa...