Since last October 5, the news website Tout sur l’Algérie (TSA) no more works on the networks of Algerie Telecom nor his subsidiary’s Mobilis. So far, no explanation was provided by the public operator, or its subsidiary, in this regard. The government for its part, seems to have washed its hands in the case.

“I, myself, also read TSA, but concerning the reasons for the site being blocked, they must be asked to those directly concerned. Also, the site’s managers were not clear enough in their declarations, so maybe the issue is related to the website’s host,” said Algeria’s minister of communication, Djamel Kaouane on October 21, during the inauguration of the Tizi Ouzou press house. On October 9, the official had assured that his office had nothing to do with this issue and that questions should be rather asked to Algerie Telecom. “If light is cut, you should turn to Sonelgaz,” he said at the time.

Nevertheless, according to actors of the local digital press industry, this is a form of censoring. On Sunday, publishers from 16 Algerian online media jointly denounced the situation in a statement. “Nothing justifies this censoring. It is not admissible. It is an attack on fundamental freedom of speech, press and enterprise rights,” reads the statement which calls for “the lifting of the ban as soon as possible”. 

Servan Ahougnon