- The print media sector (including electronic media) is governed by the independent print media regulatory authority which is responsible mainly for ensuring pluralism in the sector and transparency of the economic regulations of publishing companies (Article 40). - Establishment of the High Council for Professional Ethics: as part of efforts to institute an information code of professional ethics, the organic law provides for the establishment of a High Council for Professional Ethics (CSED) whose members are elected by journalists and its organisation and functioning are defined by the constitutive assembly. - Freedom of the press for electronic media: the organic law, taking into account developments in information and communication technologies, guarantees freedom of the press for electronic media (Article 66). - Decriminalization of press offences: the organic law makes a major contribution by decriminalising press offences (Articles 116 to 126) and by abolishing prison sentences. Journalists found guilty of violating any of these provisions shall only pay fines ranging from 25,000 to 500,000 dinars. It should also be noted that the statute of limitation for press offences is six months from the date of the offence. - Promotion of newspaper distribution: under Article 36 of the organic law, the State is responsible for promoting the distribution of newspapers throughout the national territory, in order to ensure nationwide access to information for citizens. In order to effectively guarantee this right, the government has taken concrete measures, in particular in the southern regions of the country, including the establishment of regional printing facilities. The Ouargla printing facility, operational since 3 May 2008, is aimed at supplying newspapers, etc. to seven wilayas in southern Algeria. Other printing facilities are being constructed in Bechar, Tamanrasset, El Oued and Illizi. 191. Government’s contribution to the emergence of an independent private media: Freedom of the press and freedom of expression are considered as an indicator of a society’s level of democratisation. Organic Law No. 12-05 guarantees the exercise of these freedoms and reaffirms citizens’ right to information (Article 2). In this regard, and in order to consolidate this right, Algeria has made important investments as illustrated by the statistics below: 1. Audio-visual media: a. Television: 192. Algeria has extended its television coverage to almost all parts of the country, with the exception of some areas which it plans to cover with the acquisition of new equipment. The Algerian national television has the following five channels: - A terrestrial television channel called “Programme national”; - 4 satellite channels: - Canal Algérie30, - Algerian third Channel (A3)31, - TV4, a television channel broadcasting in Amazigh32, - TV533. 30 Algerian TV was launched in 1994 and became Canal Algérie in 1998 31 Launched in 2001 32 Launched in 2009 33 TV Coran, launched in 2009 32