Breaking: X (Formerly Twitter) Suspends Algerian News Agency Account Over “Slander, Defamation, and Libel”

Algiers – In a surprising move that has shaken the digital media landscape, the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) has suspended the official account of the Algerian News Agency (@APS_Algerie). This action has sparked a wide wave of interaction and questions among platform users regarding the underlying reasons for this unexpected decision.

On Monday morning, many users were astonished to find that the official account of the Algerian agency had disappeared from X, without any prior notice or official clarification issued by the platform’s management or the Algerian agency itself. This ambiguity has led to the spread of numerous speculations and potential explanations among commentators and activists on the platform.

Some observers speculated that the account suspension might be due to a potential violation of X’s rules by the Algerian News Agency, such as the dissemination of misleading or inciting content that contradicts the platform’s policies. Conversely, other analysts linked this action to the tense regional political context, particularly in light of the recent escalation of diplomatic disputes between Algeria and the Republic of Mali.

This notable development comes at a highly sensitive time, marked by strained relations between Algeria and several African countries, especially after Mali’s decision to close its airspace to Algerian aircraft and its direct accusations against the Algerian regime of “sponsoring international terrorism.”

Well-informed sources indicate that X’s decision to suspend the Algerian News Agency’s account came against the backdrop of increasing accusations against the agency and its staff of engaging in unprofessional practices, including “slander, defamation, and libel” against opponents and critics through news articles and posts on the agency’s official account. These sources suggest that the agency’s journalists are often used by the ruling authorities and their security apparatus to tarnish the reputation of critics and level false accusations against them via the platform.

As of the writing of this news report, neither the Algerian News Agency nor X has issued any official statement clarifying the circumstances and reasons for the account suspension.

The official account of the Algerian News Agency is considered one of the most prominent official media channels relied upon by the Algerian government for disseminating news and official statements, making its suspension a significant precedent in the Arab and international digital media scene, and raising questions about freedom of expression and the limits of responsibility on social media platforms.