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In Algeria, a television channel suspended after a controversy over Emir Abdelkader

During a debate on El-Hayat TV station, a former deputy called the figure of resistance to French colonialism in the 19th century a “traitor”, causing an uproar.

The Algerian Audiovisual Regulatory Authority (ARAV) has temporarily suspended a private television channel following a heated historical controversy over Emir Abdelkader, hero of the first resistance against colonial France. The station El-Hayat TV is deprived of emission for a week, from Wednesday, June 23, according to a statement of the ARAV released Monday.

This sanction, accompanied by a warning, follows the broadcast of a program on Friday, during which a former deputy called Emir Abdelkader, a highly respected figure in Algeria, a โ€œtraitorโ€. This accusation, brought by Noureddine Aรฏt-Hamouda, son of Colonel Amirouche, one of the combatant leaders in the war of independence against France, caused a real outcry, especially on social networks.

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During the same program, Mr. Aรฏt-Hamouda also accused former President Houari Boumรฉdiรจne and nationalist leader Messali Hadj of treason. The ministry of the mujahideen (“ex-combatants”) announced Monday in a statement that it would become a civil party in the lawsuit brought against “those who attacked the symbols of the nation”.

“Professional misconduct”

Faced with the controversy, the presenter of the controversial program and boss of El-Hayat TV, Habet Hannachi, assured that the words of the former parliamentarian “do not represent the point of view of the channel”.

The ministry of communication followed in the footsteps of the ARAV, announcing on Monday the suspension for a week of the accreditation of El-Hayat TV. The ARAV affirmed “to reserve the right to initiate all the measures and adequate legal procedures in the event of recurrence of such exceedances and professional failures”, according to its press release.

In 2012, a law put an end to fifty years of the state monopoly on the audiovisual sector. More than 50 private television channels have since emerged, but only six of them, including El-Hayat TV, have received provisional approval to open performances in Algeria.

The authorities now want to put an end to the era of private offshore televisions – like El-Hayat TV – which are therefore considered foreign channels.

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