Algeria withdraws Al-Arabiya's license for propagating ‘misinformation’

By Hassan Jibril

ALGIERS, Algeria (AA) – Algerian authorities on Saturday withdrew the accreditation of the Saudi-funded Al-Arabiya TV channel for propagating “misinformation”.

"A decision was reached to withdraw the accreditation of Al-Arabiya news channel for not respecting the rules of professional ethics and practicing media misinformation and manipulation," the Algerian Ministry of Communications said in a brief statement.

The statement did not provide facts to back its claim, while Al-Arabiya has not yet issued a response as of 12:40 GMT.

In June, the communications ministry canceled the accreditation of France 24, a French state-run channel, over what it called the channel’s “clear and repeated hostility" towards the country and its institutions.

Algeria is facing criticism from international organizations, most notably Reporters Without Borders, regarding restrictions on media freedoms.

The Algerian authorities say they don’t restrict media freedom but demand media outlets to adhere to objectivity and professional ethics.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar in Ankara