Algerian Journalist Organizations Condemn Arab Journalists’ Union Stance on Western Sahara
Algerian journalist organizations have strongly condemned the recent statement issued by the Arab Journalists’ Union, which expressed support for Morocco’s so-called “autonomy plan” under its “alleged sovereignty” over Western Sahara. The unions denounced the position as a “dangerous deviation” from international law and United Nations resolutions.
In this context, the National Union of Algerian Journalists (SNJ) expressed regret over the Arab Journalists’ Union’s shift from its core principles. The statement, issued following the Union’s meeting last Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates, was described by the SNJ as being “completely unrelated to Arab journalism or the ethics of Arab journalists.” The SNJ emphasized that the statement aligned with agendas targeting the legitimate rights of the Sahrawi people, who are fighting for their right to independence and a dignified life.
The SNJ added that the Arab Journalists’ Union had sought to promote a “colonial agenda” originally conceived in Paris and adopted by the Moroccan occupying regime. The union accused this position of conspiring to violate the Sahrawi people’s rights and undermine the consistent and steadfast support of Algeria and other free nations in standing with oppressed peoples around the world.
The SNJ reaffirmed the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, as outlined by international law, reminding the world that Morocco’s occupation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is “an unlawful occupation” that involves serious, systematic violations against the unarmed Sahrawi population.
In a similar vein, the National Council of Algerian Journalists (CNAJ) expressed its “strong condemnation” of the Arab Journalists’ Union’s statement, which it described as a “dangerous deviation” from the fundamental principles of international law and United Nations resolutions that confirm the Western Sahara issue as a decolonization matter.
The CNAJ called for the respect of neutrality and independence in dealing with national and international issues, warning that taking political stances undermines journalistic credibility and harms Arab unity.
The CNAJ also appealed to the international community, reminding them that the Sahrawi cause is a “test of the credibility of the international system built on respect for human rights.” The CNAJ warned that any disregard for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination would create a dangerous precedent that could affect similar global issues.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists and Media Workers of Algeria expressed its disapproval of the Arab Journalists’ Union’s position, stating that it had adopted views that “fall short of the constructive journalistic ethics that advocate for justice for oppressed and vulnerable peoples.”
In response to the Arab Journalists’ Union’s support for the so-called “autonomy plan” under Morocco’s alleged sovereignty, the Algerian Union reaffirmed its full backing for Algeria’s stance on the Western Sahara issue. The union called on international and regional organizations to confront the damaging positions that undermine efforts to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms for all peoples.
This wave of condemnation from Algeria’s journalist organizations highlights the ongoing geopolitical tension surrounding the Western Sahara conflict, as well as the crucial role of ethical journalism in advocating for truth, justice, and the rights of oppressed peoples.
