Algeria announces major radio development program

Algerian Communication Minister El Hachemi Djiar says that the government has decided to devote over 127 billion centimes (US$1.74 billion) to develop the national radio, by extending its broadcasting and transmission capacities, and to improve radio production.

The aim is to counter the sharp competition from private radio stations broadcasting from neighbouring countries, namely Spain, Italy and Morocco. These stations are taking advantage of the weak broadcasting ability of Algerian radio stations and the numerous shadow zones [areas of poor reception]. The Minister also announced a project to provide each of Algeria’s 48 provinces with its own digital radio station.

The minister’s declaration was made on the occasion of the opening of the third Local Radios meeting held in the hall of the National Popular Assembly (lower chamber of parliament), under the motto “Digitisation first… modernisation at all times”.

The General Manager of Algerian Radio and Television spoke of a major governnment program to develop local radio. It includes the realisation of 400 [sic] mediumwave broadcast stations to cover all of the shadow zones through which Italian, Spanish and Moroccan radio stations are infiltrating. The national territory’s broadcasting coverage will be extended and equipment installed in the sixties will be renewed. Digitisation is to be introduced, to replace the current analogue system.

Source: Media Network, El Khabar

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