HIBAPRESS – Youssef Akddad
The Algerian political and media activist Said Ben Sidera warned against the dangers of misleading Algerian public opinion and spreading a discourse of sedition and hatred through media coverage he described as "misleading," coinciding with the African Nations Cup held in Morocco, considering that some media practices harm sports and turn it from a space for rapprochement between peoples into a tool for tension and igniting disputes.
Ben Sidera affirmed that sports championships, foremost of which is the African Nations Cup currently held in Morocco, must remain a unifying space away from political employment or inflammatory rhetoric, warning against exploiting the continental event to settle scores or direct public opinion in unprofessional and irresponsible ways.
In a post published on his social media platform, Ben Sidera called for adherence to the ethics of the journalistic profession and respect for the feelings of the fans, and respect for Morocco, the organizing country of this great continental celebration, warning against sliding towards content that offends the host country and negatively reflects on the image of Algeria and its people, and fuels tension instead of promoting sportsmanship and fair competition.
In the same context, Ben Sidera explained, quoting his sources from Rabat, that the correspondent of the Algerian Al-Nahar channel, against whom, according to his expression, a decision was previously issued to prevent him from appearing and media activity by the audio-visual regulatory authority in Algeria, was dispatched to cover the tournament after administrative interventions, according to the same sources.
Ben Sidera added that the concerned correspondent sparked widespread controversy within the media circles due to his behavior during the coverage, referring to actions he considered offensive to Morocco, and publishing news he described as inaccurate and false, and attempts to mislead Algerian public opinion, which he considered a clear breach of the rules and ethics of journalistic work.
Ben Sidera said, literally, in his post that "the correspondent of Al-Nahar channel, who is banned from appearing and activity by a decision of the audio-visual regulatory authority in Algeria, Kamal Mahwi, was intervened for by the Director of Communication at the Ministry, Khadija Khalifi – Al-Jarana – and requested the channel director to dispatch him based on a request from one of the guards of the pen."
Ben Sidera added that the correspondent of Al-Nahar channel, tasked with the mission of disrupting the African Nations Cup in Morocco and disrupting the elements of the Algerian delegation, caused skirmishes and great offense to the sports and media delegation, and presented an ugly face of the Algerian journalist and citizen in general."
Ben Sidera continued in the same position that the African Cup championship in brotherly Morocco is an African celebration, and it is our duty to all contribute to its success and raise its level, not to disrupt its atmosphere, because that offends Algeria, government and people, announcing his rejection and condemnation of what the Al-Nahar channel correspondent is doing, and demanding, according to his expression, his expulsion and preventing him from coverage to preserve the reputation of Algeria and its national team.
Ben Sidera concluded by emphasizing that respecting professional laws and adhering to a responsible media discourse remains an urgent necessity, in a way that preserves the image of Algeria, reflects a mature and responsible media, and enhances the values of brotherhood and fair competition between African peoples without offending brotherly Morocco.
