CAIRO: The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) has criticized Algeria's new media bill, saying the new legislation does not liberate the media. ANHRI released a statement on Monday calling the new media bill endorsed by the Algerian Ministers Council a step forward in terms of abolishing the imprisonment penalty for journalists in publication cases, but the wording of the bill itself, along with the severe fines which replace the jail time, still restricts freedom of expression. The bill has been created as a measure of reform initiated by Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflikain in reaction to the wave of protests that had previously swept the country. Among other things, protesters have called for an immediate end to the state of emergency, a call they have been echoing since the protests began in February. The bill also covers the establishment of news satellite channels or radio stations. Under the previous legislation, private channels were forbidden. Many enthusiastic Algerians have seen this step as one good step forward by the Algerian government. Amed Bedjaoui, a film consultant at the Ministry of Culture, has welcomed the initial change, saying “for once, Algeria is no longer appearing on the international front pages with news about terrorism. The whole world is seeing this new openness in Algeria in a positive light,” he told the newspaper L'Expression. “I hope the state will follow through on this,” said Mourad Saoudi, a primary school teacher. “Algerian state television is an embarrassment. It's about time that Algerians were able to recognise themselves on the television channels which are supposed to represent them.” The new bill imposes several restrictions and conditions in regards to the independence of any news channel. Private newspapers are now required to be granted permission from the Authority Control of Publications. The Algerian Human Rights League (LADDH) Chairman Boudjemaâ Ghachir warned people to not be fooled. “Once you get under the rather attractive wrapping, the present itself is poison,” he told Algerian newspaper El Watan. According to ANHRI, whilst the imprisonment penalty has been abolished, freedom of opinion and expression are still quite restricted. The fines range from 300 to 5000 Euros, an extortionate sum which the journalist must pay themselves, and not the company for who they work. The average journalist salary stands at roughly 200 Euros monthly, a figure ANHRI argues could keep many journalists away from “writing on corruption cases r controversial issues that could subject him to a fine he cannot pay and eventually will be sent to jail for not paying, or he will have to leave the profession altogether.” Freedom of press is further restricted by the articles which tackle almost every sector of life such as public security, state security, economic interests of the country, functions of public service, cultural and spiritual values of the nation and so forth. ANHRI argues that such articles grant the authorities the right “to punish a journalist or a newspaper when they cross the lines.” Interestingly, electronic media is not mentioned at all despite the significant impact of it. “Freedom is indivisible and cannot be granted from someone to another. It is a human right for all. Hence, the Algerian authorities should not provide half-solutions in an attempt to diffuse the revolutionary spirit experienced by the Arab region. Instead, they should provide genuine and complete reform ensuring public freedoms,” said ANHRI. BM
