Friday, August 15, a passenger transport bus fell from a bridge in the El Harrach wadi, in Algiers, killing 18 and 24 injured. The tragedy has deeply marked the population and was largely covered by the media. The independent national authority for audiovisual regulation (Anira) sanctioned four private television channels for their treatment of the event. She accuses them of having broadcast images and interviews deemed sensationalist and disrespectful towards the victims and their families.
Immediately after the accident, the El Bilad TV, El Wataniya TV, El Hayat TV and Echorouk TV channels broadcast images of injured in the hospital and mourning families. Some content has been shared without prior warning.
According to Anira, these practices aimed to maximize the hearing and interaction on social networks, to the detriment of the dignity and the private life of citizens.
Suspension of four channels
Saturday August 16 at 10:30 p.m., Anira suspended the four channels for 48 hours. The decision concerns the live satellite and digital broadcast. The channels must also withdraw all the content deemed non -compliant from their online platforms.
The measure is based on law 23-20 relating to audiovisual activity and executive decree 24-250, which set the obligations of audiovisual communication services. The Anira asked the Public Télédiffusion (ADD) establishment to apply the suspension immediately.
This decision relaunches the debate in Algeria on the coverage of accidents. Some believe that the dissemination of raw images sensitizes the public to road dangers. Others denounce an intrusion into the pain of victims and families, deemed disrespectful.
The Anira reminds the media the importance of respecting ethics and human dignity, especially during collective tragedies.
