Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


In Algeria, Pandemic Gives Birth to Radio Corona

Lisa Bryant

   PARIS - Rights groups accuse some authoritarian governments of using
   the coronavirus pandemic as a pretext to further limit free expression.
   But in the North African country of Algeria, the trend is partly going
   the other way.

   As brand names go, [1]Radio Corona Internationaleor RCI is probably in
   a league of its own. Launched last month on Facebook and Soundcloud, it
   offers a mix of music, news and commentary in Arabic and French.
   Founder Abdallah Benadouda says the idea came during an online
   get-together with friends.

   'We were talking about music, we were exchanging ideas and I said, 'my
   God, this is something we can do. Instead of just streaming music,
   let's create a radio show," he said.

   Radio Corona's tone is light and cynical. Benadouda says it tries not
   to criticize the government directly, while still addressing sensitive
   subjects.

   "We talk about dictator[ship], we talk about freedom of speech, we talk
   about people in jail. We criticize the action of the government in
   other ways," he said.

   The recipe seems to be working. A growing audience of thousands now
   listens to Radio Corona's twice-weekly broadcasts -- which mirror
   Algeria's twice-weekly anti-government street protests during
   pre-coronavirus days.

References

   1. https://www.facebook.com/Radiocoronadz/

.