Professor Mohamed Dahmani Advocates for a Code of Ethics in Social Media Publishing

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | October 21st, 2024 — Professor Mohamed Dahmani, the Director of the New Media Research and Studies Laboratory at the University of M’sila, has issued a compelling call for the establishment of a code of ethics and standards for publishing on social media platforms. His advocacy arises in the wake of the alarming negative repercussions these platforms have on individuals and society, particularly concerning vulnerable groups such as children and youth.

In his recent remarks, Dahmani acknowledged the presence of legal frameworks designed to mitigate harmful behaviors, including the provisions outlined in Article 299 of the Penal Code. However, he highlighted the continuing proliferation of toxic content, emphasizing that the recent Cybercrime Report indicates an urgent need for an ethical charter. This necessity has become increasingly apparent as social media transforms into venues rife with slander, defamation, and violations of personal dignity.

“Social media platforms have morphed into breeding grounds for negativity,” Dahmani stated, citing the rampant spread of fake news, hate speech, and bullying that undermine moral and social values. With Algeria now boasting approximately 23 million social media users, as noted in the 2024 Digital Report, the urgency for responsible content regulation cannot be overstated. The unchecked distribution of harmful content poses a significant risk to societal cohesion and ethical standards.

The proposed ethical charter aims to introduce clear guidelines and criteria to ensure the dissemination of credible and responsible content. It seeks to prioritize values such as honesty, accuracy, objectivity, and integrity in media reporting. Through this initiative, Professor Dahmani envisions a systematic approach to regulating information shared across social networks, thereby enhancing societal awareness rather than fragmenting it.

Moreover, the charter is designed to strengthen ethical commitments and legal responsibilities among users, introducing penalties for individuals engaging in abusive language, defamation, or the spread of false information. This proactive measure aims to create a safer and more trustworthy digital environment, addressing the legislative void affecting Algerian journalism, especially following the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 24-298.

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