Arab Journalists Union criticizes the government; Some 11 Algerian dailies refrain publication
Algeria-Regional, Politics, 9/23/2003

The Cairo-based Arab Journalists Union (AJU) is "deeply worried" by the "deterioration" of the situation of the media in Algeria -- which led yesterday 11 newspapers to refrain publishing in protest of government's harassment -- where, it said, "the freedom of speech is threatened" by judicial and administrative actions taken against journalists and newspapers.

Six newspapers in this country have ceased publishing for several days, late August and early September, officially for non payment of their debts to state-owned printing houses.

Newspapers' editors of Liberation, Le Matin, L'Expression, Le Soir d'Algerie, El Khabar and Er-Ri?, talk of a "pretext to gag" the media, while the AJU, denounced, in a press release Monday, what it called "harassment" of the Algerian media by authorities, comparing the situation in this north African country to other Arab countries where the hope for democracy and freedom of speech are shattered.

While expressing its solidarity with Algerian journalists, the UAJ urged authorities in that country to put and end to "illegal summoning" of newspapers editors.

Previous Stories:
  Algeria releases of director of Le Soire D' Algiers   (9/17/2003)
  Madani prepares an initiative to stop violence in Algeria   (9/11/2003)
  Security Council calls for release of all Moroccan prisoners still held in Algeria   (9/6/2003)
  Butaflika for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, Syria   (6/18/2003)
  AL chief confers with Bin Billa   (12/25/2002)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search