On October 12th the Algerian government announced the closure of the Algerian private television channel, El Watan TV.
According to a source at the Ministry of Communication, quoted by TSA, an Algerian on-line news-site, the channel “broadcasts illegally and, in addition, transmits subversive content damaging to the symbols of state.” The source added that “the ministry acted in accordance with the law on broadcasting of 24 February 2014, number 14/04. The channel is in breach of Article 20 of that Act, which states that any television channel wishing to transmit must have authorisation to do so.”
As ordered by the Minister of Communication, the employees were evacuated and the channel’s premises in Algiers was closed by the police.
The decision follows a broadcast interview on October 3 with Madani Mezrag, former head of the ISA (Islamic Salvation Army), during which he threatened Algeria’s head of state, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, apparently because M. Mezrag has been banned from creating a political party.
Source: tsa-algerie.com and agenceecofin.com
