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Meziane presented a report on the state of the communication sector and its future prospects before the Committee on Culture, Communication and Tourism at the People's National Assembly (lower house of Parliament).

In this regard, the minister said that “the sector's strategy is part of the reforms initiated by the President of the Republic.”

He added that these reforms have enabled the sector “to establish a legal system in line with international media practice standards, defining rights and obligations while upholding the values of responsibility and the principle of the right to information.”

In the context of drafting implementing texts related to the organic law on information, the law on print and electronic media and the law on audiovisual activity, the minister highlighted the ministry's commitment to “address observed dysfunctions through establishing clear and effective legal foundations that guarantee the full exercise of rights and freedoms and bolster professionalism in the field of information and regulatory mechanisms.”

Meziane further recalled that his sector “has initiated the establishment of the special status of journalists, setting the conditions for practicing the profession as well as related rights and duties, while defining concepts related to journalists, professional journalists and journalistic activity, in addition to determining the categories of journalists and press collaborators as well as professions linked to journalistic activity.”

Regarding the draft executive decree establishing the special status of journalists, which has completed review at the level of the General Secretariat of the Government pending its adoption, the minister noted that this legislation “includes several guarantees enshrining the journalists' right to practice their activity, as well as duties establishing responsible journalistic discourse, free from fake news or malicious and misleading information, while respecting the rules of professional ethics and conduct.”

The High Council for Journalistic Ethics and Conduct, which will be established as soon as the related regulatory texts are promulgated, will have the mission “to establish rules guaranteeing professional ethics and strengthening freedom of expression and press freedom, its pluralism and independence.”

This body will contribute to “boosting public trust in the media, limiting irresponsible behavior and preserving the profession,” he continued.

The minister outlined his department's willingness to “promote professional national media by making the national professional press card contingent upon a set of conditions and establishing rules governing foreign media operations within the national territory.”

To keep pace with developments in the communications sector, he added, the ministry has worked to “simplify procedures for establishing print and electronic newspapers by subjecting them to a declarative system instead of requiring approval.”

The minister further underscored that the ministry “has processed adaptation files for compliance with the print and electronic press law, reaching 84% completion for print media and 60% for electronic media to date.”

The ministry has also registered 34 new receipts for periodicals and electronic newspapers.

Addressing the audiovisual sector, Meziane emphasized that “the establishment of private channels is now subject to an authorization system, allowing any legal entity meeting the conditions provided by the law on audiovisual activity to set up a television or radio channel within a maximum period of four months.”

According to the minister, media outlets of all categories are also subject to conditions related to professionalism aimed at improving the quality of media service, strengthening professionalism in media practices and subjecting audiovisual communication services, including online services, to a series of commitments, whose implementation will be supervised by the National Independent Authority for Audiovisual Regulation (ANIRAV).

Regarding the Support Fund for print, audiovisual and electronic media, as well as training activities for journalists and press professionals, the minister noted that it represents “a genuine investment on which the State is counting to implement its policy in the field of media and communication, but also to improve journalists' living standards, in order to build a solid, diverse and effective media sector capable of competing with major international media outlets.”

In preparation for the holy month of Ramadan, Meziane called on television channels to respect the authentic and traditional values of society in their programming.

He urged them to reinforce the values of brotherhood and solidarity during this month, while avoiding programs that incite violence or cause fear and anxiety among viewers.

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