Algeria revokes France 24 operating license: State media | Middle East News

The government complained that the outlet had shown a “clear and repeated hostility” to Algeria and its institutions.

Algeria announced the cancellation of France 24 accreditation by the Ministry of Communications on Sunday, following parliamentary elections in the former French colony.

The move is due to the satellite news channel’s “clear and repeated hostility to our country and its institutions,” ministry and government spokesman Ammar Belhimer said in remarks made by the state news agency APS.

Belhimer also accused the 24-year-old Frenchman of violating journalistic rules and ethics, “in addition to reaffirming hostility to Algeria, working on misinformation and manipulation.”

The outlet reported that authorities gave the channel a final warning on March 13 about the “coverage of Friday marches” by the long-standing Hira protest movement against the government.

In a statement on Sunday, the public broadcasting service said it was “surprised” that no explanation had been received, “stressing that” we cover Algerian news in a transparent, independent and honest manner. “

The French government, which has close ties to Algiers, did not immediately comment.

Algerian foreign and local journalists often have bureaucratic and clear procedures for obtaining a work permit.

Journalists Without Borders (RSF) Algeria ranked 146th out of 180 countries and territories in the 2020 World Press Freedom Index, which is a drop of 27 places in 2015.

The withdrawal of France 24 accreditation took place a day after the North African country held its legislative elections, with official figures holding almost 70% of voters abstaining.

It comes amid rising official pressure on Hirak and the arrest chains of journalists and some opposition people.

Independent journalist Khaled Drareni and Ihsane El-Kadi, the director of a pro-reform radio station, were among the seven people arrested on Thursday.

Although former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned in the face of protests against the regime in 2019, protests have continued, calling for a renewal of the ruling system in place since independence from France in 1962.

Authorities have said the movement’s main demands have been met, and the rest of the protesters are accused of working against the interests of Algeria.

The Hirak movement returned to the streets in February after a nearly-year hiatus as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which also survived the arrest campaign, the presidential election and the constitutional referendum aimed at burying it.