Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Algerian authorities are preparing a list of Arab journalists deemed “personae non-grata” in Algeria and Moroccan journalists are at the top of the list, according to reports by Arabic news outlets.
According to Tunisian news website, “Kapitalis,” Algeria will deny most Moroccan reporters entry to its territories under the pretence of “their participation in a propaganda campaign against Algeria.”
The decision comes in the aftermath of the incident involving Syrian refugees crossing into Morocco from Algeria, which the latter says “ has been fabricated by Moroccan authorities.”
In addition to Moroccan journalists, the list includes other nationalities, namely Egypt, and Gulf countries.
Famous Arab journalists have also been banned. The Algerian “black list” includes Syrian Al Jazeera TV presenter, Faisal Al Kassim, Egyptian TV star, Amr Adib, and Saudi writer, Saleh Al Fahid.
These journalists have been banned either for their past or present criticism or for attacks on Algerian authorities, or the President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.Al Kassim has been “persona non-grata” in Algeria since 2004 when he first discussed the role of the country’s military generals in the massacres that took place in Algeria during the 1990’s.
When he recently made mention of Syrian refugees being expelled by Algerian authorities into Morocco, he once again came under fire from Algeria.
The famous “Face/Off” TV show presenter later tweeted a denial that Algeria is responsible for kicking Syrian refugees out of the country. He nonetheless mentioned that the Algerian Government is backing the regime of Bashar Al Assad with oil and military aid.
Al Kassim and Al Fahid were also banned for making fun of Bouteflika.
Some Algerian journalists who live abroad and regularly voice their opposition to the regime have also been banned.
