Algerian Newspaper On The Spot For Racist Headline

A newspaper in Algeria has come under fire for publishing a headline deemed racist and completely bang out of order. In the run up to Algeria's final Group B match against Mali in the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, the newspaper known as Echourouk, published a photo of fans of the Malian national football team along with the words, in Arabic, "No Greetings! No welcome! AIDS behind you, Ebola in front of you!"

West Africa has been badly hit by the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history which has seen more than 2000 people lose their lives. As international organizations such as FIFA and UN join hands with local bodies to eradicate the virus, there is no denying that Echourouk's comments are totally uncalled for. Already there is a growing perception that North African nations have a condescending and unfriendly attitude towards their sub-Saharan counterparts and headlines like this definitely do little to improve that situation.

The headline comes just a week after CAF was forced to look for a new host to the 2015 AFCON following Morocco's decision to pull out of hosting the tournament over Ebola fears. Algeria's Fennecs are already in Mali for the match which is more crucial to Mali as they look to seal the remaining qualifying spot from Group B ahead of Malawi and Ethiopia. Mali has greatly stepped its response to the virus in the last few days and has put close to 600 people under surveillance following the death of a Guinean Imam and a Malian nurse from the disease in Bamako last week.

The act by the daily publication has rubbed many Algerians the wrong way as reactions on Twitter would attest. Many have termed the headline as racist, stupid, disgusting, sickening and shameful to not just the journalism profession but the whole country at large.

An Algerian Twitter user reacts to the headline by the newspaper.

Stupidity! -n paper on footy team game in : "AIDS behind you, Ebola in front of you"

— Imad Mesdoua (@ImadMesdoua)

#Algeria - Disgusting and sickening headline by Echourouk. #Racism!

- La "une" dégueulasse et dégoûtante du quotidien Echourouk !

— Zine-Eddine Zitouni (@zitofaa)

Echourouk has shamed the profession (journalism) and the people of Algeria. They must be sanctioned. The Belahmar effect has wrecked havoc. #Algeria

Échourouk fait honte à la profession et aux Algériens.Des sanctions devraient tomber. L'effet Belahmar a fait des ravages.

— alchimistedz (@alchimiste_dz)