Algeria Warns Media: Stop Spreading ’Malicious Propaganda’ on Iran-Israel Conflict

These contents lead Algeria into "unfounded analyzes and speculations through a discourse that clearly fits into the 4th and 5th generation warfare tools and is based on speculations and illusions without any reliable foundation or source," deplores the National Independent Authority for the Regulation of Audiovisual Media (Anirav) in a press release. It firmly condemns what it describes as "unfounded and malicious exaggeration".

Also, it calls on not to be influenced by these "malicious contents", which "are, according to it, devoid of the slightest professional standards and promote a discourse that threatens public peace and disturbs national public opinion through a directed propaganda that serves known foreign agendas using rumors as a tool to weaken morale, undermine confidence in state institutions and sow confusion among citizens."

For ANIRAV, content of this type, "devoid of the most basic rules of investigation and verification," constitutes a "flagrant violation" of Executive Decree No. 24-250 setting the provisions of the general specifications imposed on audiovisual communication services. According to the regulatory body, these media have violated Article 5 of this text, which requires respect for national sovereignty, national unity, territorial integrity, national security and defense, public order, as well as the economic interests and foreign policy of the Algerian state.

ANIRAV warns: in case of non-compliance with the provisions of the general and specific specifications, the provisions of Article 34 of Law 23-20 regulating audiovisual activity will be firmly applied and the offenders will be exposed to "administrative proceedings" in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 8 of the same law. It also threatens to take "the necessary legal and regulatory measures" against any company that deliberately disseminates content, in order to "preserve national unity, respect public opinion and ensure the credibility of the national media".

The authority calls on all audiovisual companies to show "responsibility, great vigilance, commitment, objectivity and professionalism in the treatment of these sensitive issues". According to it, it is necessary to "carefully select recognized political analysts for their competence and objectivity, and refrain from welcoming unqualified voices, lacking in experience or indulging in emotional and misleading analyzes".