Algeria is not run with pre-independence mentalities

Reactions continued from many political parties, national figures and organizations to the dangerous slide in French media discourse, in light of the reckless media attack led by the France 2 channel against Algeria and its symbols. Certainly, Algeria, with its history, institutions and sovereign choices, is not defined from outside its borders and is not measured by legitimacy granted or withdrawn through media platforms, which are accustomed to mixing professional investigation and directed propaganda with news and deception.

In this regard, and in light of the escalating state of crisis in Algerian-French relations, the National Construction Movement followed with strong denunciation of what France 2 broadcast last Thursday, through targeted media content that took the form of an alleged investigative report, while in essence descending into old, renewed practices based on the deliberate distortion of the image of Algeria and the blatant attack on its symbols, in a way that violates even the legal controls of the French media itself.

The voice of Algeria is not subject to the logic of intimidation

The movement stressed in a statement that reproducing old colonial narratives through newsrooms that still look at Algeria with a guardian eye, and are disturbed by its trends to devote complete sovereignty to the independence of its national decision, will not succeed today as it did not succeed in the distant past, highlighting that this media work, which lacks professionalism, decency and neutrality, cannot be separated from the plans of some French and regional parties known for their hatred against Algeria, which seeks every time – through desperate attempts. To put pressure on the Algerian state by targeting its institutions, distorting its agencies and symbols, and sowing doubt and suspicion in its sovereign choices, at a time when Algeria has proven its ability to manage its internal and external affairs according to the logic of an independent state that does not accept dictates and does not engage in blackmail maneuvers, whatever their source.

The movement affirmed its absolute rejection of this dangerous slide in the French media discourse, considering it a direct violation of the dignity of the Algerian people, and an open attempt to reshape its image in European consciousness according to worn-out stereotypes, which requires – according to it – a unified national position that transcends narrow calculations and puts Algeria’s interest above all considerations, while stressing that the respect of countries is not extracted through screens or imposed through television reports, but rather is built on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in affairs. Interior.

The National Construction Movement also called on the French authorities to review this hostile media approach, which does not serve the stability of bilateral relations, and is not consistent with the official discourses declared about partnership and cooperation, holding the media institutions that chose this path responsible for the tension they sow and the lack of trust they foster, stressing that Algeria is too strong to be confused by fleeting media reports, no matter how bold or investigative they claim.

The movement concluded its statement by affirming that Algeria, whose people sacrificed for their sovereignty and independence, will forever remain resistant to all attempts at targeting, and its voice will remain sovereign and free, not subject to the logic of intimidation and not affected by the noise of seasonal campaigns.

An unprecedented media and moral scandal

For its part, the National Democratic Rally party followed with great astonishment and dissatisfaction what this public French channel broadcast in a program presented as a “journalistic investigation,” while in essence it is nothing more than a crude exercise in political distortion, falsely dressed as a media work to justify a hostile discourse that transcends time and facts, by hosting names known for their hostility to Algeria and their association with paths that have lost all political or moral legitimacy.

“Al-Arandi” added that the broadcast of this “work” coincided with the day the National Assembly ratified the law criminalizing colonialism, once again revealing the insistence of some circles on summoning the same faces, in the same language, and with the same hatreds, in a desperate attempt to reproduce a discourse that has been outdone by reality, since the time of tutelage was permanently closed, and all that remains for its owners is to regurgitate hatred and package it in “news” templates.

He continued by saying, “Passing vulgar descriptions about a symbol of the Algerian state on an official French channel is considered an unprecedented media and moral scandal that expresses the impudence of that channel and those behind it, and a dangerous slide that exposes a crisis of standards within a shameless French media that lacks the garb of honor and claims professionalism while feeding on provocation and moral slippage.”

The party affirmed that Algeria is an independent state, whose decisions are formulated within its constitutional institutions, not in foreign newsrooms, and that national sovereignty is not the subject of discussion, nor is it drawn into frivolous debates, stressing that Algeria does not need “certificates of good behavior,” nor is it managed with pre-independence mentalities, and that relations between countries are built on mutual respect and equality, not on media sensationalism or on deferred settling of scores.

The gathering noted that Algeria today is an actor, not a subject, and whoever does not understand this transformation will remain a prisoner of his delusions. Algeria is not a subject for media consumption, nor is it an arena for settling internal or external scores. It is bigger than reducing it to sensationalist headlines, and more complex than turning it into a passing propaganda material.

The gathering also expressed its regret at the state of political insignificance among a group of those who chose to become dependent abroad, and sold their honor and consciences to foreign powers in exchange for circumstantial roles in smear campaigns, thinking that the media hype could give them the weight they lacked nationally and popularly. These mercenaries represent no one but themselves, and experience has proven that whoever bargains for his homeland gains nothing but isolation and extinction.

The Rally also affirmed its firm stand on the side of the nation and its full support for state institutions and symbols, in everything related to protecting national sovereignty and defending Algeria’s strategic options, reiterating its commitment to responsible political action, biased towards the country’s highest interest, far from outbidding and dependence, and believing that Algeria’s strength lies in the cohesion of its internal front and the unity of its national position.

A propaganda and incitement work targeting the Algerian state and people

The National Organization of Algerian Journalists described what the French media broadcast as an act of propaganda and incitement targeting the Algerian state and people, considering that what was presented to French public opinion has nothing to do with honest journalism, but rather an attempt to employ the media in the service of hostile political agendas, at a time when Algerian-French relations are witnessing a noticeable cooling due to French parties crossing red lines, according to the statement issued by the organization.

The organization confirmed that the French investigation committed a series of professional and ethical deviations, the most important of which are: the lack of impartiality and objectivity by presenting a biased and fabricated narrative, the deliberate selectivity in choosing sources and testimonies that serve a preconceived agenda, and the suspicious political timing that came in the context of an artificial diplomatic crisis, as well as incitement against the Algerian community and portraying it as a tool in political conflicts, which sows hatred and pushes towards worsening the situation and reinforces what the organization described. With “Algeriaphobia”.

The organization stressed that what was broadcast as a journalistic investigation was nothing but a failed propaganda practice aimed at distorting the image of Algeria and confusing French and international public opinion, stressing that these French media professionals turned public media platforms into tools of pressure and distortion, exploiting the media to inflame crises and direct internal public opinion in France towards fabricated external crises.

The statement indicated that Algeria will not accept being the subject of poisonous media campaigns targeting its sovereignty and image before the world, stressing that such practices will only increase the Algerian people’s adherence to their rights and their keenness to expose any attempt to use the media against their national interests.

The statement concluded by affirming that Algeria is a free, independent country, sovereign in its decisions, and that any attempts to insult the state’s symbols or institutions or undermine its economic, social and diplomatic achievements will be met with national vigilance and responsibility.