Algeria: Le Temps launches in stormy times

Posted by Bhamini .N on January 13, 2009 at 2:29 PM

Le Temps, a new French daily, launched on Monday in Algeria. Djamel Kaouane, the director of the publication, declared that is a "general daily, modern, with emphasis on current information and relevant to local subjects".

Kaouane mentioned that the daily is "apolitical" and with a "priority to information". "It is the privileged witness of the new Algeria, facts and people who make its news. Objectivity, thoroughness and information will be our priesthood", he continues. Le Temps joins the active bilingual press family in Algeria, declaring itself to be a "witness to the new Algeria". A property of Ali Haddad, PGD of the construction enterprise ETRHB, the first issue was printed in 40,000 copies, with the first issue featuring, among others, the conflict in Gaza and Yennayer, the Algerian new year which falls on the 12th of January.

The daily appears at an interesting time when several newspapers around the globe are folding or adapting to a more digital environment. But, launching a website at the same time, Le Temps appears optimistic in a currently precarious media atmosphere. Another French daily, L'hebdo du Vanatu, launched in South Pacific Asia back in October. The launch of new newspapers and magazines along with the integration of print and digital versions shows that the media industry is bracing itself for inevitable changes in 2009.

Source: Ennahar Online