It seems that Algerian media, both official and pro-authority, has suddenly ended its exaggerated coverage of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's announcement that Algeria has become an "active member" of the G20, and that the country has entered a new phase of prosperity after getting rid of queues and achieving self-sufficiency and well-being. In fact, the official narrative went so far as to portray Algeria as having ended all its problems, so that even popular discontent no longer exists except in the pages of the past.
But this same media quickly turned to extensively broadcasting scenes of protests in Morocco, as if the citizens of Algeria live in an "ideal paradise", without living crises, shortages of essential materials, or political deadlock. This media behavior reflects, according to observers, a systematic strategy to avoid addressing internal issues, and to turn attention outward to convince the people that everything is fine internally, while reality reflects accumulated economic, social, and political crises. The fundamental difference is evident when comparing the Moroccan and Algerian experiences in dealing with protests. In Morocco, despite the severity of social anger, especially in the health sector, the authorities are keen to manage the situation in a disciplined framework, based on dialogue and self-control, which consolidates the image of a country experiencing political and democratic dynamism. While in Algeria, the scene remains radically different, as the image of the military and security establishment is associated with violent intervention, severe repression, restrictions on freedoms, and the suppression of any popular movement in its infancy. The difference between the two cases is like the difference between heaven and earth: Morocco, despite the challenges, is accumulating a reformist and constitutional experience that provides space for discussion and expression, while official Algeria is content with polishing a rosy image of the interior through its propaganda channels, replacing the confrontation of real crises by covering "the neighbors' problems". In the end, the Algerian regime's attempt to divert attention towards Morocco remains evidence of the depth of the internal crisis it faces, and its inability to provide tangible solutions for its people, far from the rhetoric of intimidation and media polishing.
