BY: Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS- President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, during the 9th edition of the President of the Republic’s Professional Journalist Award ceremony held at the “Abdelatif-Rahal” International Conference Center in Algiers, revealed a set of groundbreaking measures aimed at fostering the growth of Algeria’s media landscape. The President outlined these initiatives, delivered by Minister of Communication Mohamed Laagab on his behalf, as a form of indirect assistance.
In his comprehensive speech, President Tebboune disclosed several key measures, including a reduction in subscription rates for the Algeria Press Service (APS) in favor of national media. This reduction extends to the Value Added Tax (VAT), with specific rates and measures to be defined in the upcoming supplementary budget law.
Additionally, the President announced a noteworthy 33% to 36% decrease in hosting fees for electronic platforms through Algeria Telecom (AT), coupled with an increase in capacity. Simultaneously, rents at the Press House will see a reduction.
President Tebboune’s announcement encompassed the naming of media centers at stadiums after renowned sports journalists. Furthermore, he pledged a reduction in airfare prices for Air Algeria flights, benefitting sports journalists covering African competitions.
As part of the broader strategy, President Tebboune tasked the Ministry of Communication and the Presidential Communication Directorate with conducting a study to revive the Press Aid Fund. The President also called for the development of an approach to regulate the advertising market.
The President, emphasizing his commitment to campaign promises, highlighted the completion of legislation governing the sector. This includes the enactment of the organic law on information and laws pertaining to print, electronic, and audiovisual media, with imminent application texts. The establishment of the Press Regulation Authority, the Independent National Authority for Audiovisual Regulation, and the Ethics and Deontology Council will follow.
President Tebboune underscored the significant benefits these measures bring to the information sector, such as the adoption of a declaration system for establishing written or electronic newspapers. Other measures include enhanced journalist protection, mandatory training, prohibition of monopoly situations, and an increased focus on national content in television channels.
The President also mentioned the initiation of the “Dzaïr Media City” project, designed to adapt to the evolving landscape of communication and information, while simultaneously elevating the standards of the profession.
Concluding his address, President Tebboune congratulated the winners of the President of the Republic’s Professional Journalist Award, expressing his hopes for continued excellence. He acknowledged the impartiality, professionalism, and transparency of the jury members, paying respects to deceased journalists and those who lost their lives in Palestine due to brutal Zionist aggression. President Tebboune concluded by expressing his optimism for the information sector’s qualitative leap and wished the country further progress, prosperity, security, and stability.
President Tebboune’s Measures for Algerian Media Receive Wide Acclaim
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s recent initiatives have received widespread praise from journalists and industry experts. The measures are seen as providing a significant impetus to the field of journalism and national media.
The Union of Media Publishers, in an official statement on its page, highlighted that the measures announced by the President align with their vision for a robust and professional media system. This vision, nurtured over the past three years, aims to establish a media landscape that meets the citizens’ right to professional, ethical, and objective information while safeguarding the state’s paramount interests.
The union reiterated its call to the Ministry of Communication and, by extension, the government to expedite the issuance of implementing texts and the establishment of bodies outlined in the organic law on media and the law on audiovisual, print, and electronic press. This, they believe, will enable the regulation of journalistic work based on professional standards, ethical principles, and transparent competition conditions.
Amidst these developments, Ammar Chérifi, the Acting President of the National Council of Algerian Journalists, emphasized in a conversation with “Sabq Press” that the recent measures by the President for the benefit of the national press are exceptional and reflect his commitment to enhancing press freedom and providing a conducive working environment for Algerian media, particularly the electronic sector.
Speaking about the reactivation of the press support fund, Chérifi called this decision historic after years of dormancy. He praised President Tebboune’s supportive stance for journalists, highlighting the President’s deep understanding of the pivotal role journalists play in the media landscape, both socially and professionally.
Ahmed Bouchareb, the Secretary-General of the Federation of Media under the General Union of Algerian Workers, on his part, commended these measures, highlighting their contribution to upgrading media work and preserving job positions in the media sector.
The National Union of Journalists, represented by its Secretary-General Kamel Amarni, welcomed the measures, noting their significance in addressing the core concerns of the national media. He emphasized that these actions would revitalize the press sector and enable many media institutions to overcome their challenging financial situations.
Youssef Tazir, the President of the National Organization of Sports Journalists, praised the measures as a testament to President Tebboune’s interest in Algerian journalism and his commitment to elevating its performance. Tazir noted that these initiatives also underscored the President’s emphasis on Algeria’s African dimension by encouraging national media to cover various continental sporting events.
In conclusion, President Tebboune’s comprehensive measures have received widespread acclaim for their potential to fortify and invigorate the Algerian media landscape.
President Tebboune’s Vision: Transforming Algeria’s Media Landscape
The “Black Decade” marked a transformative period in Algerian media, reshaping its dynamics and narrative. Despite the hardships faced by journalists, it became a catalyst for media pluralism, fostering the emergence of numerous outlets that championed freedom of expression and addressed sensitive issues transparently.
This diversification fueled healthy competition among Algerian media, propelling journalists to prominence on the global stage. Both public and private media in Algeria have consistently reflected the values of the state, notably on issues such as Palestine and Western Sahara, aligning with liberation movements worldwide.
Traditionally seen as the “fourth estate,” the contemporary view positions media as the “first estate.” President Tebboune recognizes its significant role in geopolitics, democracy, and national unity, becoming a primary force in shaping opinions domestically and internationally.
In the present landscape, media has acquired a new role directly tied to principles of security and stability. The destructive potential of modern media, often termed alternative media, has been observed globally. President Tebboune acknowledges the importance of alternative media, particularly online platforms, in safeguarding Algeria’s interests.
Despite facing challenges such as ideological resistance, President Tebboune prioritizes electronic media sites. The strength of these platforms lies in their immediacy, swift topic processing through multimedia, and cost-effectiveness.
President Tebboune’s initiatives encountered legal and regulatory hurdles, but his leadership has ushered in a new era for Algerian media. His directives emphasized urgency and culminated in the enactment of progressive media laws that align with global standards.
