(CALP/IFEX) – The following is a CALP statement: CALP statement marking World Press Freedom Day Press freedom has been one of the rare gains since the democratisation process got underway in Algeria following the October 1988 riots. This year, as we mark World Press Freedom Day, press freedom is under increasing attack in the country. […]
(CALP/IFEX) – The following is a CALP statement:
CALP statement marking World Press Freedom Day
Press freedom has been one of the rare gains since the democratisation process got underway in Algeria following the October 1988 riots. This year, as we mark World Press Freedom Day, press freedom is under increasing attack in the country.
2004 was a particularly difficult year marked by journalists’ imprisonment, increasing judicial attacks on journalists and economic pressure via harassment by printing houses and controls on state advertising.
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Centre algérien pour la défense et la promotion de la liberté de la presse (CALP) honours the memory of all journalists who died while practicing their profession and the memory of those who were assassinated by armed Islamists from 1993 and 1997.
CALP pays tribute to all media professionals in Algeria who have stood firm against all forms of censorship.
CALP calls for an end to all forms of judicial and administrative harassment against journalists. The organisation also calls for the release of Mohamed Benchicou, director of the daily Le Matin, who was sentenced to two years in prison for his writings. In addition, CALP asks that the daily Le Matin be allowed to resume publishing.
CALP believes that certain minimal conditions need to be met before press freedom can genuinely thrive in the country.
1. The government is presently working on a draft law governing information in Algeria. To ensure that this future law is in line with Algerians’ right to complete, credible and independent information, it is crucial that media professionals be closely involved in the drafting of the bill.
2. We feel it is urgent and imperative that the journalism profession be accorded official status. Such a status should be developed in conjunction with media professionals and meet international standards.
3. Whereas press freedom is unattainable in a culture of fear, it is imperative that the June 2001 Penal Code amendments concerning defamation, which considerably increased prison sentences and fines, be repealed. Current penalties governing defamation constitute a genuine threat for all journalists and media outlets.
4. The head of the government passed a directive ordering all public companies and institutions to send their advertisements via the National Publishing and Advertising Agency (Agence nationale d’édition et de publicité, ANEP), thereby denying them the right to choose where they wanted to advertise. This directive, aimed at controlling advertising sales, is all the more abhorrent when one considers that the government is presently negotiating Algeria’s admittance to the World Trade Organisation, as well as a partnership agreement with the European Union. As such, CALP calls for the lifting of the measure.
