(Ecofin Agency) - Since Miloud Chorfi, former head of Algeria’s broadcasting regulatory authority (ARAV), has been appointed senator, no one has filled his position. It thus befalls the President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika to appoint ARAV’s new president.

Minister of Communication Hamid Grine said on February 1, 2016, that ARAV’s next head “would soon be known”. In the meantime, the minister explained that he currently detains all prerogatives to run the regulatory authority. He has in fact assured that “work was going on as usual”.

On ARAV’s website, it is described as an “independent public institution which functions as a guarantor and protector of the freedom to practice the profession; it insures the regulation of broadcasting in Algeria and consolidates the mission of the public service”.

Under Miloud Chorfi who headed it for a year and half, ARAV defended the Head of State and other public authorities. The institution issued warnings to various Medias but its authority was also sometimes undermined such as in the case where the ministry of communication closed El Watan Tv after it broadcasted an interview with Madani Mezrag, former head of the Islamic Salvation Army (AIS) where he was threatening President Bouteflika.