Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Algerian journalist and activist Hichem Aboud has released a commentary on the treatment of journalists in the country on his YouTube channel, accusing the government of jailing journalists for factual reporting and not necessarily opinion pieces.
“Opinion journalism and freedom of expression are known to be forbidden in Algeria,” Aboud said in a Youtube video, before revealing that a journalist with Echorouk newspaper was arrested for publishing a factual report on Algeria’s date exports.
The article, which now appears to be inaccessible through the newspaper’s website, highlighted the Algerian Agriculture Ministry’s recent decision to stop all of the country’s exports of “Deglet Nour” dates after a substantial number were sent back for containing harmful chemicals.
“He didn’t express an opinion, didn’t insult them, didn’t criticize the regime,” Aboud said in his video, before adding that the journalist was “immediately thrown in prison.”
Aboud also said the Algerian authorities attached several trumped up charges to the young journalist, such as conspiring with enemies of the state or threatening the country’s sovereignty.
Aboud also pointed out that the article was not necessarily critical of Algeria, saying that its highlighting of the government’s decision to halt all exports could be interpreted as a measure to protect citizens.
This is not the first time that Algeria has been condemned for its high-handed treatment of journalists.
Earlier this year, Moroccan press unions and officials called out the country for not allowing a Moroccan press team to cover the Mediterranean games, despite them having all the requisite documents and permits to do so.
International organizations such Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also called out what they described as the Algerian government’s questionable attitude toward the Moroccan journalists.
Hichem Aboud, who was himself the editor-in-chief of the Algerian army’s official publication and later the “Mon Journal” news platform, was banned from Algeria when his outlet started reporting on Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s health.
He now posts videos on YouTube, with his channel having garnered over 500,000 subscribers.
