Algeria will have its first private television channels in 2012, Communication Minister Nacer Mehal was quoted as saying Monday by the el-Khabar newspaper. “I think we'll be seeing the first private channels in 2012,” he told the Arabic-language daily. He said he would look to receive the advice of Rachid Arab — an Algerian-born member of the CSA, France's media regulator – to assist the country in opening up the sector to private broadcasters. The Algerian government in early September passed a bill ending the state's monopoly on broadcasting, a long-standing demand of the country's opposition. Several private newspapers, including el-Khabar, and businessmen announced their intention to launch radio and television channels following the government's move. Algeria currently has five television stations, all publicly-owned. BM
