Environmental Awareness as a Pillar of National Security: Minister Meziane Calls on Algerian Media to Champion Biodiversity

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

At a high-level symposium in Algiers, Communication Minister Mohamed Meziane underscores the vital role of the press in fostering environmental consciousness, advocating for strategic media engagement to safeguard Algeria’s biodiversity and promote civic responsibility.

Algiers, Algeria | May 21st, 2025 —  In a resolute call to action, the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Meziane, urged Algeria’s media institutions to assume a central role in instilling an environmental culture within society, emphasizing that biodiversity is not only an ecological issue but a cornerstone of national security. His remarks were delivered during a study day on biodiversity held in Algiers, organized by the Ministry of Environment and Quality of Life, and attended by policymakers, academics, and civil society actors.

“The challenge of biodiversity is intrinsically tied to food security, economic stability, and the broader safety of our society,” asserted Meziane, underlining the strategic nature of environmental preservation in Algeria’s national policy discourse.

Determined to galvanize the national press into environmental stewardship, the Minister called for the development and dissemination of content that educates, informs, and influences behavior. “Media discourse must evolve into a genuine driver of environmental preservation, encompassing all dimensions of ecological awareness,” he stated. Meziane championed the idea that the media’s mobilization is not merely complementary but essential: “The more the media is involved, the greater the rate of awareness, which in turn boosts societal consciousness,” he stressed.

He further lamented the risks of media passivity in this domain: “In the absence of responsible media engagement, environmental messaging becomes fragmented and incoherent,” he cautioned, advocating for the press to remain at the forefront of public discourse on sustainability.

Training Journalists and Empowering Local Media

To institutionalize this effort, Meziane revealed that the Ministry of Communication, in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, is committed to intensifying the training of journalists in environmental issues—particularly biodiversity. He emphasized the importance of equipping journalists with the technical knowledge and ethical commitment necessary to communicate complex environmental topics with clarity and impact.

Furthermore, Meziane announced plans to support media at the wilaya level, with a special focus on local radio stations and electronic media platforms. “We aim to create a continuous—not sporadic—debate on biodiversity. The goal is to establish a sustained presence of environmental issues across Algeria’s media landscape,” he explained.

Strategic Media Functions in Environmental Education

Minister Meziane identified three core functions the media must perform to build an authentic environmental culture. First is information, providing the public with accurate and comprehensive knowledge on environmental issues and encouraging environmental education at all levels. Second is comprehension, ensuring that the public not only receives information but also understands it in a clear, relatable manner. Third and most crucial is behavioral transformation, which involves fostering responsible and civic-minded attitudes that translate into concrete actions in daily life.

“This gathering marks a foundational step toward a lasting and effective partnership for a healthier environment and protected biodiversity,” Meziane declared, framing the event as the inception of a broader national movement.

The Minister’s address concluded with a plea for a “genuine media awakening” that will spark widespread dissemination of environmental content, driven by strategic awareness-raising campaigns in collaboration with the press and the associative sector.

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