Sources of Information in the Audiovisual Sector in Algeria Through Media Legislation: An Analytical Study

Abstract

This research paper examines the sources of information relied upon by Algerian television channels, both public and private. It assesses the extent to which these sources conform to the legislative texts governing the sector, which has undergone liberalisation since 2012. This study falls within the field of media legal studies. It aims to analyse the nature and diversity of the information sources utilised by television channels and to examine their relationships with the legal framework governing the right to access information. This study reviews the evolution of legislation related to this right, beginning with the first law regulating the sector in 1982 and culminating in the Organic Media Law issued in 2023. The findings of this study reveal that the legal provisions governing the right to access and circulate information remain ambiguous and unclear. Moreover, the existing legal framework has not yet achieved effective guarantees, as it merely stipulates these rights in principle without providing efficient mechanisms for their implementation. Despite the significant steps taken by the Algerian legislature to recognise the right to information and protect journalistic sources, a comprehensive legal framework governing this matter in the audiovisual sector has not yet been established. Consequently, journalistic practice remains subject more to institutional considerations than to professional standards, which restricts the diversity of information sources and affects the credibility of news disseminated by Algerian television channels. In conclusion, the study emphasises the need to advance media practices in Algeria by adopting specific legal provisions on the right to access information and establishing an independent authority to regulate the relationship between the media and administrative institutions. It also highlights the importance of strengthening journalists' legal training to ensure greater diversity of sources and enhance the credibility of television news production.