Algeria wants more control over digital press

The Algerian Minister of Communications, Ammal Belhimer, has announced a new decree that will, in principle, be valid for twelve months to regulate and limit the country's digital press. These measures have set off alarm bells in the Algerian opposition and, above all, in the journalism sector, which has not hesitated to point out that the objective is none other than to limit and pursue freedom of expression.

The measures include the need for the headquarters of these digital media to be located in the country and for them to inform the government of Abdelmadjid Tebboune of any "illegal" content. The problem, opponents point out, is who decides what is legal and what is not.

Members of the opposition and of the Hirak movement, which has been taking to the streets against the political situation in Algeria for several years now, stress that the "new" government of Abdelmadjid Tebboune has systematically persecuted journalists and activists, so that, they add, their concern about this new law is justified.

According to the communications minister, it is a question of prosecuting the misuse of this type of media hosted on the Internet, and the dissemination of what is known as 'fake news', false news, hoaxes and rumours. Ammal Belhimer adds that this will "protect Algeria and its armed forces against malicious attacks" that seek to misinform.

One of the journalists from the digital newspaper Twala, Hamdi Baala, points out that the digital media are a "free space" which, because of their uniqueness, simplicity and ease, are "technically and economically beyond the control of the Algerian authorities".

Several digital media, such as the TSA or All About Algeria, have been systematically blocked since 2017. Other radio media have also suffered from the censorship imposed by the Algerian government.

The new law will establish two new authorities to regulate this type of digital media, on the one hand, one will focus on the digital press and, on the other, on audiovisual media that broadcast online.

This new measure seeks to increase pressure on the social movement in Algeria, known as Hirak, which is seeking to put an end to the Algerian gerontocracy, and which is manifesting itself in a greater democratisation of the country. The end of Abdelaziz Bouteflika has not brought any substantial changes, as they consider Tebboune's executive to be more of the same, and this new law is the clearest example of the limitations that continue to be imposed on freedom in the country.

All these limitations, such as the hosting of the media on Algerian domains, will also affect private advertising revenues, which is key to the economic viability of many of them. In addition, when they are transferred to the Algerian domain, they may be subject to control by the National Advertising Agency.