In Algeria, select rights groups have called out some authoritarian government for capitalizing on the shocking outbreak of the pandemic disease to limit free expression. The rights groups accused the authoritarian government of arresting activists and journalists.
However, in the North African part of Algeria, it doesn’t seem like the situation with the birth of Radio Corona. Radio Corona Internationale (RCI) kicked off last month, airing on both Facebook and Soundcloud. It airs a mix of music, news and runs commentary in two languages (French and Arabic).
Abdallah Benadouda the owner of RCI made known that the idea was conceived in an online conversation with his friends. While they laughed loudly, shared music, and talked about music, the idea came to him. He told his other friends that they could start a radio program instead of just streaming music.
Radio Corona tries not to directly criticize or slander the government. Benadouda stated. According to him, the radio is cynical and also light. However, the radio still talks about dictatorship, freedom of expression, people serving time in Jail, and other things about government.
According to the founder, the radio that broadcast twice weekly has a thousand audience that tunes in. This broadcast airs the twice-weekly anti-government protests on the street before the outbreak of the pandemic disease.
The founder of Radio Corona made known that the radio is not just about coronavirus, it is also the voice of the Hirak protest movement and it won’t stop after the pandemic disease is over.
