An Algerian TV program that raised the issue of competing with Israel in sports has sparked the ire of a government body specialized in monitoring satellite channels.
Algeria’s Audiovisual Regulation Authority (ARAV) criticized the program, saying it causes “harm to public interest and security” and serves “suspicious interests and agendas.”
In a statement on Tuesday, the ARAV warned some new channels that broadcast its programs without obtaining licenses from the Ministry of Communication.
The Ministry preserves its right to sue those who do not comply with the guidelines of the audiovisual activity-related law, the statement noted.
The statements were seen as an implicit reference to the Lina TV channel, which was launched in December by journalists and broadcasters who used to work in several other channels.
According to the authority, new television channels have been recently launched and broadcast their programs without approval or licensing.
It stressed that monitoring and ensuring that the principles and rules of audiovisual activity are respected is among its duties.
The statement cited what it described as “chaos” while referring to channels that operate without abiding by any legal framework, stressing that they often tackle sensitive issues and cause public discontent, harm public interest and security and serve suspicious interests and agendas.
“These channels have abandoned impartiality and objectivity while serving the interests of foreign groups, whether political or economic, without having the slightest respect for professional ethics,” the statement read.
“Their main concern is to gain profit and high view rating even if it is at the expense of the viewers’ right to various high-quality programs.”
The Thursday evening Talk Show program “Sra Masra” on Lina TV discussed ongoing events in Algeria and neighboring countries, including the normalization with Israel.
A journalist who was among the guests said he opposes many Algerians in their rejection of competing with Israel in major football competitions, such as the FIFA World Cup.
Another journalist responded to these remarks by stressing that the remarks of this journalist represent a “betrayal” to most Algerians.
The debate went viral on social media with some supporting boycotting Israel in sports and others opposing it.
It is noteworthy that Algerian authorities have shut down Al Atlas TV and El Watan TV stations in recent years without resorting to the judiciary.
The decisions were in response to programs that criticized former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
