AL24 News is an Algerian public international news channel broadcasting in Arabic, French and English since 1 November 2021.
The concept for the channel was initially proposed by then-Minister of Communication Ammar Belhimer, to project Algerian soft power abroad. Prior to the channel's launch, Belhimer said that "the project to create an international television channel is a major focus of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's program".[1]
A ceremony marking the channel's official launch took place on 30 October 2021, on the 67th anniversary of the outbreak of the Algerian War, with broadcasts commencing on 1 November 2021 at midnight (WAT).[2] [3] Salim Aggar, a former director of the Algerian Cinematheque, was appointed as its inaugural director-general.
AL24 News and the Russian channel RT Arabic have signed a cooperation agreement on . This agreement aims to facilitate the exchange of information and audiovisual programs between the two media outlets, as well as provide mutual assistance in the field of television broadcasting.[4]
According to the state-run Algeria Press Service, the channel intends to strengthen "Algeria's presence on the international media scene and the impact of its positions vis-à-vis regional and international causes".[5] Officially, 60% of content is produced in Arabic, followed by 35% in French and 5% in English.
Programming includes rolling news, debates, talk shows, documentaries, and thematic magazines.[6]
A July 2022 assessment by Jeune Afrique said that results were "mixed" for AL24 News's audience. Notably, it "failed to distinguish itself with content that is fundamentally different from the many private or public television channels. With 500,000 subscribers and more than 300,000 likes on its Facebook page, it is clear that it has failed to capture the attention of Algerians."
The channel has been criticised by Moroccan pro-government media for its connections to the Algerian state.[7]