ALGERIA: Government's decision to loosen media laws in Algeria and allow private television broadcasters to enter the market has led some newspapers to start their own news television channels

Record ID: 574113

  • Title: ALGERIA: Government's decision to loosen media laws in Algeria and allow private television broadcasters to enter the market has led some newspapers to start their own news television channels
  • Date: 10th May 2012
  • Summary: CROWD AROUND THE ENNAHAR TEAM
  • Embargoed: 25th May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Algeria
  • Country: Algeria
  • Topics: Communications,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVABJBPINY5B75S24NC720D5TK1P
  • Story Text: A new proposed media law allowing privately owned TV channels to broadcast in Algeria has sparked change even before it is passed, with newspapers launching their own TV channels, broadcasting from abroad, until the law allows them to be based in Algeria.
    If passed, the law would end the State TV monopoly on television in Algeria.
    A two-member crew from Ennahar TV, the channel newly established by the widely-read Algerian daily Ennahar, are on their way out for a shoot ahead of the legislative election, expected to be the most transparent in country's history.
    They are gathering people's opinions on the elections, which has already brought increased popularity and viewership to the channel.
    One of the main issue at stake during these elections is how many people will vote. There are no reliable opinion polls, but anecdotal evidence suggests many Algerians will stay at home.
    As Ennahar's reporter Sabrina Refine asks those who say they will vote to give a message to those abstaining.
    Algerian state TV rarely goes on the street to speak to the public and when it does people are cautious about what they say on camera, but with the new private TV stations like Ennahar, reservations are overcome, said Refine.
    "As soon as they see it's Ennahar channel they come and see us, they feel comfortable with us, they feel they can express their opinion freely and openly," she said.
    Refine, a recent university graduate, works with a youthful team, most of whom are also new to broadcast. She said the channel not only gives voice to the people on the street but it has also given jobs to young people who might have otherwise been unemployed.
    Ennahar is a 24-hour news channel, but currently programmes are recorded at a newsroom in Algeria, and are then sent abroad for transmission. But once the media law is passed they hope to be a fully functioning rolling news channel broadcasting live.
    The editor of the channel Hisham Midad said the decision to open the channel was affected by the increasing power of audio visual broadcast, especially within political regional context.
    "What's happening is that there is development in media scene, in Algeria this is all new, the new law (which allows for private channels to operate) has not been passed yet. We are trying to keep up with modern life, TV these days is more effective and has more impact than local TV," said Midad.
    "Our target audience is the average Algerian citizen, in the news we aim to cover affairs and news related to Algeria, but of course without ignoring the situation in the region, especially the so-called 'Arab Spring' and its impact," he added.
    Crowds gather around the Ennahar crew as soon as they step a foot on the street, and the crew are often approached by people wanting to speak about the elections.
    "I always watch Ennahar TV, especially their ' Very frank' programme, the channel is special and may god bring them success," said Ennahar viewer, Shlali Ilias, after he was interviewed by Refine.
    Another viewer said he liked them because whatever the public said, they showed it.
    "Do you know what convinced us that this channel was good? Because it shows the positive and the negative comments on the street, all is shown, they show reality."
    Thursday's election is likely to be the fairest and most transparent in two decades. More parties than ever before have been allowed to compete, and for the first time the European Union has been invited to monitor the vote.
    Oil revenues have brought better standards of living, and Algerians see last year's bloodshed in neighbouring Libya as a lesson in the risks of a revolt. Whatever the outcome of the vote, the authorities are likely to press on with a reform programme.
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