- Title: Algerian journalists protest for right to cover anti-government demonstrations
- Date: 28th February 2019
- Summary: ALGIERS, ALGERIA (FEBRUARY 28, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS CHANTING, HOLDING VARIOUS BANNERS READING (Arabic/English): "A FREE MEDIA", "FREE AND INDEPENDENT PRESS", "WE CAN'T BREATHE, WHERE IS THE OXYGEN?" POLICE SURROUNDING JOURNALISTS POLICE ARRESTING JOURNALIST JOURNALISTS CHANTING (Arabic): "A free and democratic press." (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic/French) JOURNALIST, CHALABI ASSIA, SAYING: "Because we are fed up, there is no freedom of press in Algeria, we are suffocating. Last Friday (February 22) all the foreign media covered the demonstrations, but not us, and we felt ashamed. We can't tell our bosses or the owners of the channels and newspapers to cover the people's demonstrations because we don't have status." FEMALE JOURNALIST SPEAKING TO POLICe OFFICER / JOURNALISTS CHANTING SLOGANS POLICE ARRESTING JOURNALIST JOURNALISTS CHANTING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JOURNALIST, ALLEL MOHAMED, SAYING: "We came today peacefully, and in a civilised way, to Freedom of the Press Square (a location in central Algiers), but we have been received with repression and violence. This is shameful for independent Algeria's history." JOURNALIST WEARING BAND ACROSS HIS MOUTH / POLICE IN FOREGROUND POLICE ARRESTING JOURNALIST WHO IS CHANTING (Arabic): "A free and democratic press." JOURNALISTS CHANTING, BANNER SAYING (Arabic) READING: "DON'T MUZZLE US." JOURNALISTS CHANTING "Democracy." (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic/French) MINISTER OF COMMUNICATION, DJAMEL KAOUANE, SAYING: "Freedom of the press is guaranteed in Algeria, freedom of expression is a right enshrined in the Constitution." KAOUANE BEING EVACUATED BY HIS ESCORTS, PEOPLE SAYING (Arabic): "Give them their freedom." JOURNALISTS SHOUTING SLOGANS JOURNALISTS FACING POLICE AND CHANTING (Arabic): "Democracy." POLICE OFFICER PUSHING JOURNALIST POLICE SURROUNDING JOURNALISTS BENEATH STREET SIGN READING (Arabic/French): "FREEDOM OF THE PRESS SQUARE."
- Embargoed: 14th March 2019 15:52
- Keywords: Bouteflika 5th term protests Algerian president anti-government protest freedom of expression
- Location: ALGIERS, ALGERIA
- City: ALGIERS, ALGERIA
- Country: Algeria
- Topics: Fundamental Rights/Civil Liberties,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001A3HZ41Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Police in Algeria arrested several journalists in the capital on Thursday (February 28) as they protested for the right to cover rarely seen anti-government demonstrations that began a week ago, according to witnesses and Reuters television footage.
Dozens of journalists gathered in the city centre chanting "democracy" before being dispersed by police. Since Friday (February 22) thousands of Algerians have taken part in protests against the ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's plan to seek a fifth term in April 18 presidential elections.
Witnesses said they saw police lead away several reporters at the journalists' protest. There was no immediate government comment. State media only started covering the protests on Tuesday (February 26) after journalist employees publicly complained they were being prevented from doing so.
His opponents say Bouteflika, 81, is not fit to lead and that Algeria is ruled in his name by advisers. Authorities say he retains a firm grip on public affairs despite appearing only a handful of times and giving no public speeches since he suffered stroke in 2013.
He has not directly addressed the demonstrations, some of which led to clashes between protesters and riot police.
(Production: Abdelaziz Boumzar, Seham Eloraby, Catherine Tilke) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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