Algeria: Authorities close down “El Watan” TV and seize all its assets because of Madani Mezrag
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Algerian authorities on Monday ordered the closure of the private television station “El Watan” and the confiscation of all its assets after it broadcast an interview with Islamist figure Madani Mezrag accused of “subversive” remarks, the communications ministry said.
The decision came after “El Watan” TV broadcast on October 3rd 2015 an interview with Madani Mezrag, the former head of the Islamic Salvation Army (AIS), the armed wing of the banned Islamic Salvation Front (FIS).
In the interview, Mezrag spoke of his plans to set up a political party and criticized President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for rejecting his initiative.
“If he (the President) does not review his position, he will hear from me what he has never heard before,” Mezrag threatened in the controversial interview.
A source at the communications ministry said “El Watan TV was being shut down over “subversive remarks and attacks against the symbols of the State”.
The source said that Communications Minister Hamid Grine has asked the Governor of Algiers to take the necessary steps to close down “El Watan” TV with immediate effect.
“This channel is not authorized to work in Algeria where it has no official accreditation,” said the source.
It should be noted that “El Watan TV” is based in London and broadcasts from the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus, although it has offices in Algiers where it employs 170 people.
“El Watan” TV has stepped over the line of tolerance,” the ministry source added.
The Algerian audio-visual Authority upheld the closure decision.
its chairman, Miloud Chorfi, told media outlets on Monday in a statement of which “Echorouk” received a copy that “developments in the audiovisual landscape in the country prompt us once again to ponder over the imperious necessity of abiding strictly with the laws of the Republic and the professional ethics’ code and avoiding any detrimental excesses and drifts in the interest of the country and the citizens”.
