Communication Minister Laagab: “Algerian Authorities Issue Directives for the Establishment of a National Communication Platform”
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laagab, revealed, on Tuesday, that the highest authorities in the country have provided directives to work towards the realization of an Algerian communication platform, emphasizing that this has been a genuine concern for President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Responding to questions from members of the People’s National Assembly, the Minister addressed the issue of advertising and acknowledged that there have been deficiencies in the distribution process due to the absence of specific criteria. In contrast, he pointed out that it is “impossible” for the National Agency for Communication and Advertising to distribute advertising material equally to the 160 accredited newspapers in Algeria due to the complexities of the process.
To overcome the disruptions affecting the advertising market, the speaker emphasized that stability can only be achieved with the presence of 5 billion small and medium-sized enterprises. He stressed the necessity for state intervention to support and strengthen the national media, a sector that Algeria has not abandoned.
In the same context, he noted that printed presses in Algeria have suffered losses of 50%, concurrent with the global paper market crisis. Additionally, many newspapers have not paid their dues to the printing presses.
The senior official in the sector proposed the establishment of a national fund to support journalism and journalists in Algeria, emphasizing that it does not necessarily have to be funded by the state.
On another level, Mohamed Laagab refuted claims of official authorities restricting press freedom, attributing this to the financial weakness of media outlets which has impacted the state of media in Algeria.
In this regard, he considered that freedom should be accompanied by regulations that define its course, a practice followed by countries worldwide, especially in the West.
