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Algeria's political system and Media sphere: challenges and prospects in the era of digitalization

Barabanova Nadezhda Mihailovna

Lecturer; Faculty of Oriental Studies; St. Petersburg State University

199034, Russia, Saint Petersburg, Universitetskaya str., 7-9

nadezhda812812@yandex.ru
Akhmatshina Enesh Kurbanseiidovna

PhD in Politics

Associate Professor; Faculty of Oriental Studies; St. Petersburg State University

199034, Russia, Saint Petersburg, Universitetskaya str., 7-9

e.akhmatshina@spbu.ru
Gurushkin Pavel Yurievich

PhD in Politics

Associate Professor, Department of Mass Communications Management, St. Petersburg State University

199034, Russia, Saint Petersburg, Universitetskaya str., 7-9

gurupavel@ya.ru
Other publications by this author
 

 
Yuitin Lyu

Postgraduate student; Institute 'Higher School of Journalism and Mass Communications'; St. Petersburg State University

199034, Russia, Saint Petersburg, Universitetskaya str., 7-9

nikonovs@mail.ru

DOI:

10.25136/2409-8698.2024.11.72486

EDN:

MMVMAA

Received:

22-11-2024


Published:

29-11-2024


Abstract: This study examines the features and interrelationships of the political system and the media sphere of Algeria in the context of digitalization. The article analyzes the influence of the unique historical and cultural context, the strategic geopolitical position and the evolution of the semi-presidential republic on the formation of the media system, its role in maintaining national identity and the mechanisms of regulating the information space. Special attention is paid to the institutional aspects of the functioning of the Algerian media in the context of their interaction with government agencies and public processes. The research focuses on the role of media in shaping the political agenda, the impact of public policy on the development of the media sector, as well as on the challenges associated with globalization, digital transformation and the expansion of the social media space. The work offers a comprehensive analysis of the current changes in the Algerian media ecosystem and their impact on political stability, civil society and the adaptation of traditional values in a rapidly changing digital world. The research methodology is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines elements of political science, media studies and cultural studies. The main methods are: system analysis, comparative analysis and analysis of secondary data. For the first time, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between the Algerian political system and the functioning of its media sphere, taking into account the historical stages of its formation, modern challenges and the impact of globalization processes. The key mechanisms of the impact of public policy on the development of the media sector, including legal, economic and social aspects, have been identified, which made it possible to reveal the specifics of regulating the media space. An in-depth analysis of the digital transformation of the Algerian media space has been conducted, focusing on the role of social networks and online media in strengthening civil society, as well as problems related to the restriction of freedom of information. Based on the data obtained, recommendations are formulated on reforming the media system to adapt it to the conditions of globalization and digitalization, aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and increasing the effectiveness of interaction between the state, society and the media.


Keywords:

Algeria, the political system, media, media environment, the media sphere, media communications, social network, censorship, digitalization, communications

This article is automatically translated.

Algeria, the largest country in Africa, located in the northwest of the continent and covering an area of 2.38 million square kilometers, plays a key role in the North African region. Its unique geopolitical position, rich historical and cultural heritage and complex political structure determine the importance of studying the country's media system. The analysis of the Algerian media system makes it possible to identify mechanisms for the formation of public opinion, the maintenance of national identity and control over the dissemination of information, which is especially important in conditions of active interaction between the media and government authorities.

The Algerian political system has a significant impact on the functioning of the media, setting the regulatory and institutional framework for their development. The relationship between the political system and the media system reflects the historical, cultural and social characteristics of the country, which makes the study of these aspects important for understanding modern challenges in information management. According to the researchers, "the political system defines the framework and conditions for the development of the media," setting not only the institutional structure, but also the dynamics of interaction between the government, society and the media sector.

The Algerian political system, which is a unitary democratic people's Republic with a semi-presidential form of government, is the result of many years of historical development. After gaining independence in 1962, Algeria moved from a socialist model to a pluralistic political system, enshrined in the constitutional reforms of 1989. These changes have led to the institutionalization of a multiparty system and a more balanced distribution of power between the President, Parliament and the Government.

Algeria's media system occupies a special place both on the African continent and in the international information space. The development of the media sphere, which began at the end of the XIX century, gave it the status of one of the most advanced in Africa, which is confirmed by the wide coverage of satellite communications and the availability of developed infrastructure.

The State plays a central role in the functioning of the Algerian media system. There are two key associations in the country that unite journalists and editors, which contributes to the institutional support and regulation of professional activities. The most prominent player in the media space is the Algerian News Agency (Agence algérienne de presse, APS), founded in 1961 and publishing materials in Arabic, French and English. APS serves as an instrument of internal information policy and external propaganda, representing Algeria in the world media. Its activities are supported by modern technologies, including satellite broadcasting and online services.

The print media in Algeria also show considerable diversity. There are more than 300 newspapers published in the country, including 65 daily ones, of which 32 are published in Arabic and 33 in French. Leading publications include Le Mujahedin, Le Soir and Le Peuple. Newspapers cover a wide range of political, cultural and social topics, contributing to the formation of public opinion and providing a platform for discussion.

State-owned radio and television play a central role in the country's media ecosystem. The National Television (ENTV), founded in 1986, and Radio Algeria, which has been in existence since 1956, act as key channels for broadcasting public policy, cultural content and news. Historically, these channels have undergone a significant transformation: if in the colonial era radio was perceived as an instrument of cultural pressure, then during the struggle for independence it became a symbol of national liberation, uniting Algerians around a common goal.

With the development of the Internet, Algeria's media space has undergone significant changes. The Internet, which appeared in the country in 1993, has become an important tool for scientific and cultural exchange. Instagram Facebook, Instagram (banned in Russia) and Twitter are now used as channels for information dissemination and social interaction. The popularity of online media and news sites, whose audience has surpassed the readers of print publications since 2016, indicates the growth of digital transformation. However, the existing censorship in the online space restricts the free dissemination of information, which continues to be a challenge for the country's media ecosystem.

Thus, the Algerian media system, which is significantly influenced by the state, reflects the historical, cultural and technological characteristics of the country. On the one hand, it provides access to information and a platform for cultural exchange, and on the other, it faces challenges related to censorship and the need to adapt to the digital age. The average Internet speed in Algeria [5] reached 11.01 megabytes per second in January 2023. At the same time, in the same period of 2022, the average Internet speed was 9.78 megabytes per second. Thus, the increase in speed by 1.23 megabytes (+17.2%) creates objective conditions for an increase in public access networks. In January 2023, the number of social media users reached 23.95 million people, which is 52.9% of the total population [5].

In 2023, 32.09 million people used the Internet in Algeria, which is 70.9% of the total population. At the same time, in 2022, this figure varied by about 27 million people [2]. Consequently, the growth rate of the number of Internet users has almost doubled in 2023.

According to GSMA INTELLIGENCE [3] Mobile phone Internet usage in Algeria increased by 1.8 million (+3.8%) between 2022 and 2023.

At the beginning of 2023, the number of Algerian residents who do not use the Internet amounted to 13.17 million, which is 29.1% of the total number of residents. Most often, this is an older population, which is confirmed by statistical data. The DataReportal agency [10] in its annual report reported that it recorded an increase in the number of Internet users in January 2023 by 5 million people [5, 10] compared to 2022. Consequently, residents of the Algerian Republic tend to be eager to enter/join online communities, as well as actively use social networks.

The most common online platforms in Algeria at the beginning of 2023 include: Facebook, Instagram (banned in Russia), YouTube, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Twitter.

It should be noted that social networks began to spread gradually. In 2007, Facebook appeared in Algeria [7], and in 2011 – YouTube [9].

Instagram Facebook has about 20 million users, Instagram about 8 million, Snapchat about 7 million people in Algeria in 2022.[9]

In January 2023, the number of social media users in Algeria reached 23.95 million, of which 22.1 million were over the age of 18. This corresponds to 75.4% of the adult population and 74.6% of the total number of Internet users in the country [5]. The audience of social networks covers all categories of Internet users, but men use these platforms more actively than women: men account for 58.1% of users, while the share of women is 41.9% [5]. The predominance of men among users is primarily due to social and cultural factors.

Below are the most popular social networks among Algerian youth (according to data for 2020) [15].

Facebook - 63.01 %

Twitter - 15.06 %

Instagram - 15.06 %

Other social networks - 6. 84%

Social media is one of the most popular ways to spend time on the Internet. In Algeria, the most active users are young people over the age of 18 and middle-aged men.

The nature of the interaction of the participants is due to the division of social networks into contact and contextual ones. A distinctive feature of contact social networks is the possibility of establishing closer interpersonal contact between two members of the group – Facebook, etc. Contextual social networks such as Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat are information channels in which participants receive and broadcast information, express their opinions, exchange remarks, but at the same time do not have the opportunity to establish "closed" personal contacts for other people [14].

Facebook was used by 13.60 million Algerians in 2023 (by the volume of Facebook users worldwide – 3.07 billion people). The most active audience of this social network was men – 61.4%, women, almost doubling, made up 38.6% [6, 15].

In 2023, the number of Algerians - YouTube users - amounted to 22.70 million people, which is equivalent to 70.7% of the total number of Internet users (regardless of age), which corresponds to the first place in popularity among Algerians and the second place in terms of users worldwide – 2.7 (billion people) [9]. Of the subscribers of the YouTube information network, 52.7% are men and 47.3% are women. The gender structure is quite stable: the number of male audience is significantly higher than female. Instagram Instagram Facebook Facebook and Instagram continue to be among the top 3 most popular social networks in Algeria among young people from 2020 to 2023, where Facebook continues to occupy the first place and Instagram the second.

The number of Algerian Instagram users [11] amounted to 8.4 million people (in terms of users worldwide, it ranks third – 2.115 billion people) [11]. The number of LinkedIn users was 3.20 million. The number of Snapchat users among Algerians was 6.95 million, which is 11.2% more than in 2022. This media platform ranks fourth in terms of global user volume – 414 million [12]. If we assume that the ultimate goal of digital communication is to simulate live communication as accurately as possible, despite the distances, then Snapchat has come closer to this goal than other services [4]. This is probably why, ranking third in the world in terms of users, Twitter became much less popular among Algerians in 2023, losing out to Snapchat. Consequently, contact social networks that help establish communication between individuals or entire groups for a specific purpose have become more in demand among all Algerian Internet users. Facebook and YouTube apps for 2023 are popular due to the maximum length of a text message: 63,206 characters [8] on Facebook and 5,000 characters – the maximum amount of characters in the description of a YouTube video with a maximum file size of 256 GB, the maximum video duration is 12 hours [9]. Instagram is the most popular among contextual social networks such as Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

According to research data [15], the development of social networks has both a positive and negative impact on the cultural and religious values of Algerian youth (from 18 to 24 years old). Algerian communication networks use a mix of Arabic and other foreign languages, which has a certain impact on the cultural code, as 42% of users use bilingual mixing to communicate with each other. At the same time, the study of the audience revealed an ingrained, generally accepted devotion to Muslim culture and its values for the traditional countries of the Arab East: 62% of the respondents confirmed their desire to spread established, religiously sanctified customs, and their willingness to resist the influence of Western cultures [15].

Thus, as a result of the development of the communication network and the worldwide system of integrated computer networks (Internet), social networks have a significant spread in Algeria, affecting all segments of the population. The gender structure of users is traditional for the countries of the Arab East: the percentage of men using the Internet and social networks is significantly higher than that of women. The scale of distribution, the growth rate of the number of participants, and the frequency of use of social networks suggest that social networks have become a phenomenon of everyday life in the Algerian People's Democratic Republic. At the same time, it is characteristic that more than half of young Algerians are ready to defend and spread the cultural values of Al-Jumhuria al-Jazairia and al-Shaabiya.

Despite the certain benefits that the emergence of social networks has brought to Algerian society, there are also a number of authors who believe that "people's lives in virtual reality, a decrease in the number of live communication, as well as the interpenetration of cultures threaten the national identity of the Algerian people" [6].

From the point of view of media management and regulation, the press and publications in Algeria are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Information, which is engaged in the development of digital technologies and radio and television broadcasting, and the Ministry of Culture, which deals with cultural communication, book publishing, etc. There are also commissions for the regulation of print and audiovisual media, whose members are appointed by the President and parliamentary the authorities, as well as high-ranking media figures. The Organic Law, which is the main law in force, establishes the basic principles of the work of the press and publishing, emphasizing that freedom of the press should take into account many aspects, should not harm the interests of the State, etc., and the Law on Audiovisual Media develops it, clarifying the rules in the field of audiovisual media in relation to the share of national programs, the share of dubbing foreign programs, the use of the national language, etc.

Freedom of expression is recognized in the Algerian Constitution; article 41 of the 2016 Constitution states that "citizens have the right to freedom of expression, association and assembly"[12]. However, this constitutional guarantee is often undermined by other legal norms and practices that restrict these freedoms.

Media censorship in Algeria applies to both public and private media. Despite the fact that the number of private newspapers and broadcasters increased between 2015 and 2023 [13], they operate in a strictly regulated environment. The Government exerts significant influence on the media through various means, including ownership, control of printing houses and distribution networks. For example, although the main newspapers are only partially controlled by the Algerian Government, printing presses and supplies of paper and printing ink are under its control [14]. The State also dominates the broadcasting sector: all television and radio stations are either state-owned or tightly regulated. As a result, private media often resort to self-censorship to avoid possible consequences. Journalists in Algeria face a number of challenges, including harassment, trials and imprisonment, which further restrict freedom of expression in the media.

The study of the Algerian media system in the context of interaction with the country's political system confirms that the evolution of the media is closely linked to the historical, political and cultural processes that took place in the country. The semi-presidential republican system of government, formed as a result of constitutional reforms and the desire for political pluralism, has a direct impact on the institutional structure and functioning of the media.

The State role in the management of the media system is a key characteristic of the Algerian model. The activities of institutions such as the Algerian News Agency and the National Television (ENTV) show how the media are used to support public policy and promote national interests both inside and outside the country. Nevertheless, this process is accompanied by significant restrictions related to censorship and restriction of freedom of speech, which is emphasized by a number of legal and institutional mechanisms regulating the activities of both public and private media.

With the development of the Internet and digital technologies, the country is witnessing important transformations of the media space. Social media, news sites and online media have become increasingly important in the lives of Algerians, especially young people. These platforms offer an alternative to traditional media by providing more timely and diverse sources of information, as well as creating new forms of interaction between the state, society and the media sector. Nevertheless, even in the digital environment, censorship-related barriers remain, which limits access to complete and objective information.

It is important to note that studying the Algerian media system makes it possible to better understand not only the mechanisms of information dissemination and public opinion management, but also the challenges that the country faces in the context of globalization. On the one hand, the expansion of Internet access and social networks contributes to the development of civil society and opens up new opportunities for cultural and scientific exchange. On the other hand, the continuing traditional approaches to control over the media sphere indicate the difficulty of adapting the political system to the modern requirements of the information age.

One of the central conclusions is the need for further reform of the media sphere in order to ensure a more balanced interaction between government institutions and civil society. Strengthening media independence, reducing censorship and supporting digital technologies can be key factors contributing to strengthening democracy and political pluralism in the country.

The study shows that the Algerian media system, being a product of a unique historical and cultural context, is a dynamic and complex phenomenon. Its study is important not only for understanding the internal structure and challenges of the country, but also for analyzing global trends in the development of mass media. Algeria's experience can be useful for other countries seeking to find a balance between traditional values, national interests and the challenges of the digital age.

In conclusion, further studies of the Algerian media system and its relationship with the political system represent a promising direction for analyzing the mechanisms of formation of national identity, the impact of globalization and the role of media in maintaining political stability. Only a comprehensive approach to the study of these processes will allow a deeper understanding of the dynamics of interaction between the state, society and the media space in modern conditions.

References
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This review examines the scientific article "The political system and the media sphere of Algeria: challenges and prospects in the era of digitalization". The article is a study in the field of mass and Internet communications in Algerian society. The article examines and analyzes in detail the means of communication used in modern Algeria, provides statistics reflecting the growth in the number of Internet users in the country, and explains the causes and consequences of this phenomenon. The author notes the special role of the State and censorship in the media in Algeria. Referring to the Algerian Constitution, the author nevertheless states that "the constitutional guarantee (of freedom of speech) is often undermined by other legal norms and practices that restrict these freedoms." Unfortunately, the author does not describe the purpose and objectives, as well as the research material. The object of the study is the media system of Algeria. The subject of the study is the media and social networks that have the greatest impact on the communication processes of the Algerian Republic. The article consists of an introduction, a practical part, a conclusion and a bibliography. The author consistently compares the growth in the number of Internet users based on their social characteristics, such as gender and age. The author uses the comparative analytical method as the main one. In conclusion, the author draws conclusions and summarizes the results of his research. These results can be considered scientifically sound and reliable. The article was written in accordance with the criteria for scientific articles. The volume of the article is sufficient. The article is designed in accordance with the requirements for scientific articles, contains links to sources and a list of references, including the most relevant research on this topic. As a result of the analysis, the author concludes that "the media system of Algeria, being a product of a unique historical and cultural context, is a dynamic and complex phenomenon." The article also contains a number of easily remedied shortcomings. Thus, the author does not describe the purpose and objectives, as well as the research material. As a suggestion for future research, I would also like to recommend taking into account the regional and linguistic peculiarities of Algeria. The author casually mentions bilingualism in social networks, however, in some regions, such as Batna, Tizi-uzu, etc., it can be assumed that with increasing investments in the promotion of Berber languages and culture, trilingualism, or Tamazig-Arabic bilingualism (as opposed to French-Arabic) is becoming more widespread this may also affect the preferred communication channels for the local population. In general, the article "The political system and the media sphere of Algeria: challenges and prospects in the era of digitalization" is a high-level research work that contributes to the study of the media system of the North African region. The work meets the requirements for scientific articles and can be recommended for publication in the journal Litera.