“Strengthen the rule of law by adopting measures to make the Declaration on Freedom of Expression in Africa a reality in Algeria” 56. As part of reforms instituted by Algeria since 2011 in particular, a new law on information, in force since 2012, has strengthened freedom of expression and fully establishes the liberalisation of the media sector through the opening up of the audio-visual media to the private sector. 57. The liberalisation of the audio-visual media became a reality through the enactment of the law on the audio-visual media which was published in Official Gazette No. 16 of 23 March 2014. 58. The organic law on information and the audio-visual media is one of the key reforms introduced by Algeria. It represents the establishment of pluralism in the audio-visual sector and paves the way for private investment in the sector. 59. In this domain, Algeria plans to set up a broad national television broadcasting network across the country, and investments and projects are still ongoing with the objective of adapting television broadcasting capacities to the opening to private investment. 60. The near introduction of the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), which will make it possible to transmit packages of television programmes to a diverse audio-visual landscape is also an important progress made in Algeria. 61. Regarding technology, government authorities are paying particular attention to the 3G technology which is available in Algeria since December 2013. Through this new technology, Algeria plans to promote investment in local content production by targeting the creation of SMEs and start-ups by young graduates who are encouraged and assisted in this process. Recommendation No. 16: “Provide information on HIV cases in Algeria and the various forms of treatment” 62. Algeria is among the countries with a low HIV prevalence rate, with an HIV prevalence rate of about 0.1%. 63. Since the first case was diagnosed in 1985, the number of confirmed cases is 1,118 cases of AIDS and 4,745 cases of HIV (as at 31 December 2010.) Heterosexual transmission is predominant. Prevention activities target the youth in particular, and are conducted through school and university health programmes and through multi-sectoral national mechanisms for the youth with the participation of associations, in particular the thematic alliance of UNAIDS and the National Office for the Fight against Drugs and Drug Addiction. It should be noted that 61 anonymous and free-of-charge screening centres have been opened in all the wilayas across the country. 64. Algeria continues to implement the policy of free healthcare and free medicines for persons infected by the virus. 65. The institutional mechanism for HIV care was significantly strengthened with the establishment of the National Blood Agency in charge of blood transfusion safety, including the institution of compulsory screening for blood donations and other blood-related activities throughout the national territory during the 1990’s, the establishment of 8 HIV/AIDS management reference centres, and the supply of free antiretroviral drugs. 66. A study day was organised on 8 December 2011 in Algiers for Imams and mourchidate (training of trainers) on the fight against HIV/AIDS. 13

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