President Bouteflika: “I worked for empowerment of the national press by guaranteeing its free exercise within a legal framework”

Algeria celebrated, Wednesday, the National Press Day, decreed last year by the President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and which will be marked, this year, by the delivery of the first national cards to the professional journalists.

On this occasion, the President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika sent a message on the eve of the celebration of National Press Day.”Our country celebrates National Press day decreed two years ago in honor of the publication of the first issue of the newspaper “El Moukawama El Djazairia” (Algerian Resistance) during the glorious national revolution, on October 22nd 1955”, President Abdellaziz Bouteflika said in his message.

“The reference to that time indicates a strong symbolism in terms of the role played by that generation of journalists and media men and women in the years of the Revolution to highlight the legitimacy of the lofty struggle of the Algerian people to regain their legitimate rights spoliated by colonialism for 132 years”, President Abdellaziz Bouteflika added.

“The celebration of this event provides an opportunity to assess the progress made by the national press in the wake of the all-round dynamic development facing our country. It is also a halt to ponder over the ideals that the pioneers of the National Information sector who had defended Algeria and served the country’s supreme interests before anything else”, he further explained.

“It was during the past decade that advances achieved by the national press were made visible in different areas of expression through radio, television and the print and electronic media, with the mobilization of public resources notably it the needed material, financial and relevant training as the goal is ultimately to enshrine the constitutional right of citizens to information”, the head of stated also noted in his message.

“I made sure, on my part, that the national press must be given the legal tools which guarantee the free exercise of its activities, in accordance with professional standards and rules in force in democratic societies, and respect for Ethics and morals that should guide it throughout this professional activity, he also affirmed”.

“Likewise, I enjoin the government to complete the legal arsenal governing the activities related to the Information sector, particularly as regards regulation in the areas of print and broadcasting, said President Abdellaziz Bouteflika.”

“I also urge professionals, publishers in particular, to live up to their training and investment responsibilities within their information structures to ensure the sustainability of employment”, he added.

“Such efforts should result in the professionalization and modernization of the personal resources as well as the compliance with the legislative and regulatory arsenal relating to the Protection of Information of workers and the guaranteeing of  their rights and the promotion of their social gains”, the head of state underlined.

“Following the establishment of the national register of professional journalists, it will be up to the people of the press to join the reform process that we have undertaken in recent years through their representative bodies, namely the regulatory authority of the written press and the Board of Ethics and Professional Conduct”, he emphasized.

“The new challenges our country is facing and which are not unrelated to the challenges globally must prompt the national press to focus on the real concerns of the citizens and adapt to society’s changes in all areas of life”, he said.

“Stability remains under all the heavens, the fundamental condition of the enshrinement of freedom, progress and prosperity for all. This teaching, Algeria has pulled it off from its recent past and this brings to memory moreover, the painful events that are unfortunately besetting some sisterly countries. By  safeguarding the stability of the country concerned, within the framework of the law, all stakeholders including the honorable family of the press, must continue to play, as in the past, a vital role, to this effect”, he further asserted.

“In establishing the President’s Award of the Republic for professional journalist, whose first edition was held this year, I wanted to offer media professionals the opportunity to showcase their creative potential, and to build a culture of healthy competition”, the head of state pointed out.

“While congratulating all workers of the press on this symbolic day, I hail the role they perform at the service of all the causes of the nation and I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to pay tribute to the pioneers of the profession to which I express my appreciation for their contributions and sacrifices for the benefit of the nation”, concluded the President of the Republic.