Minister of Communication commits to digital transformation of media

ALGIERS-The Minister of Communication, Mohamed Meziane, emphasized Thursday, in Algiers, the sector’s determination to meet the challenge of digital transformation in media to make it a tool for national development.

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Speaking during a plenary session at the People’s National Assembly (Lower House of Parliament) dedicated to oral questions, the minister said that his department “strives to keep pace with the rapid developments to meet the challenge of digital transformation, relying on a strategy based on modernizing and developing the digital infrastructure of media institutions to improve the quality of their services and strengthen their digital presence.”

Outlining this approach, Meziane noted that the ministry had put in place “a satellite broadcasting strategy, aimed at strengthening Algeria’s capacity to broadcast its media content internationally, while reinforcing its digital presence through the use of available digital platforms.”

The minister also emphasized that his sector works to implement the State’s policy aimed at “having strong and influential media,” particularly through “an adapted legal framework, modern infrastructure and qualified human resources,” given “the growing importance of media.”

As for the strengthening of radio broadcasting at the national level, the minister recalled the launch by Algeria’s Public Establishment for Television Broadcasting (TDA) of “a major project to acquire some 550 FM transmitters of various powers, for several provinces, to improve radio coverage to nearly 95%.”

The promotion of regional media “is part of implementing the guidelines of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, aimed at establishing professional and competitive media, enshrining the citizen’s right to access reliable information and accompanying comprehensive national development,” said Meziane.

He also highlighted the efforts made to develop the information sector, particularly through several “ambitious projects,” such as the DZAIR Media CITY media hub, underscoring that this project, “which aims to promote the audio-visual sector in Algeria, constitutes an integrated infrastructure bringing together the main actors in the field.”

He added that this infrastructure will offer “instant transmission ensuring broadcasting via the most modern technological platforms, with a large data centre based on artificial intelligence and spaces offering various media services meeting the current international standards.”

Regarding the recruitment of people with special needs in media establishments, the minister assured that the sector “spares no effort to enable this category to benefit from employment and integration without discrimination, in accordance with the laws of the Republic, notably Article 2 of Executive Decree 214/14, which stipulates that every employer must dedicate at least 1% of its jobs to this category of citizens.”

In this regard, Meziane urged public and private media to “ensure increased participation of people with special needs in available positions” and to “strengthen opportunities for their professional integration at central and regional levels.”

As for the programming schedule for the month of Ramadan, the minister insisted on the need to “draw inspiration from the values of Algerian society, which advocate solidarity and mutual aid, while respecting the principles and ethics of the profession.”

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