Algiers, Feb 28, 2019 – Algerian police arrested Thursday a dozen journalists protesting “censorship” of coverage of demonstrations against a fifth term for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, as the prime minister compared the rallies to those that sparked Syria’s war. They shouted “No to censorship” and “Fourth estate, not a press that follows orders”. As the demonstration got underway police arrested a dozen journalists, an AFP reporter said, sparking angry reactions from their colleagues who banged on the police vans that drove them away. Algeria has been hit by a wave of protests over 81-year-old Bouteflika’s announcement he will seek a fifth term at an April 18 election. On Thursday the group called for the immediate release of “all the journalists who were violently arrested”.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 28, 2019 16:41 UTC