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Denver- French new outlet France 24 has been banned from continuing work in Algeria, according to reports by local media.
The Algerian Minister of Communication Ammar Belhimer informed the state-owned Algerian Press Service of the situation in a brief statement today.
France 24 is allegedly being banned for “overt and repeated hostility” against the Algerian government. Belhimer also remarked “The bias of France 24 in the coverage of the Friday marches is blatant, going so far as to resort, without restraint, to archival images to help anti-national remnants consisting of reactionary or
separatist organisations,” likely in reference to the company’s covering of the contentious situation ongoing in the country.
Previously this year, the Algerian government threatened to shut down the news outlet over similar issues during the country’s March protests, according to a report written by the Committee to Protect Journalists. Additionally, a France 24 correspondent working in Algeria was assaulted during this time period by “unidentified men.”
This is not an unusual practice in Algeria, which currently holds a 146 rank in the World Press Freedom Index, one of the lowest ranks in terms of journalistic freedom. The country has a reputation for silencing dissenting news groups and unjustly imprisoning journalists indefinitely. Several outspoken critics of the regime have also been forced into exile abroad.
France 24 has yet to comment on the situation, but this unfortunate situation is evidence of the unchecked journalistic harassment that Algeria continues to conduct in its attempts to wage war against the truth.
