Today, Algeria celebrates National Press Day, an occasion that should serve to recognize the vital role journalists play in conveying the truth, promoting transparency, and ensuring accountability. However, the current state of journalism in Algeria remains deeply concerning, as systematic violations against journalists and independent media outlets persist, within an environment marked by restrictions on freedoms and the instrumentalization of the judiciary to silence critical voices.
A number of Algerian journalists continue to face judicial prosecution and detention over articles or reports addressing sensitive issues or criticizing government policies. Vague legal provisions from the Penal Code, such as those related to “undermining public order” or “spreading false information,” are frequently used to justify such prosecutions — in clear violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees freedom of expression and prohibits the criminalization of opinion.
In this context, SHOAA for Human Rights recalls the case of journalist Abdelwakil Blamm, who was arrested on 29 December 2024 and placed in pre-trial detention over his journalistic writings and social media posts addressing matters of public interest. The organization views these measures as a direct attack on press freedom and independent journalism, in blatant violation of Article 54 of the Algerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the written, audiovisual, and electronic press, prohibits prior censorship, and stipulates that journalists cannot be imprisoned for their opinions or publications made within the law. These practices also constitute a violation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression without interference or fear, highlighting the inconsistency between Algeria’s actions and its constitutional and international obligations regarding freedom of expression and media independence.
Continuing this troubling trend, on 30 September 2025, the Constantine Criminal Court sentenced journalist Abdelkrim Zeghileche to one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 Algerian dinars, on charges of “spreading false information likely to undermine public order” and “inciting hatred and discrimination,” based on an old Facebook post. SHOAA considers this prosecution a clear act of criminalizing free expression, serving as yet another example of the judiciary being used to restrict rather than protect journalistic work.
SHOAA also highlights that several journalists, including Ihsane El Kadi, Saad Bouakba, Said Boudour, and Mustapha Bendjama, are subject to travel bans without any clear legal justification, in violation of Article 49 of the Algerian Constitution, which stipulates that:
“Freedom of movement is guaranteed. It may only be restricted by a justified judicial decision.”
The organization stresses that these restrictions represent a flagrant violation of constitutionally protected freedom of movement and serve as a tool of pressure and intimidation against independent journalists, aimed at silencing their voices and deepening the climate of fear and self-censorship within the media sector.
SHOAA further recalls that the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression has repeatedly urged the Algerian authorities to end the imprisonment and travel restrictions of journalists, emphasizing that such actions constitute serious violations of international human rights law and calling for the abolition of prison sentences and arbitrary measures in cases related to expression and publication.
On the occasion of National Press Day, SHOAA for Human Rights reiterates that protecting journalists and guaranteeing press freedom is not a privilege or a corporate demand, but a fundamental pillar of any democratic system that respects human rights. It stresses that freedom of the press and the right to access information are inalienable rights, and restricting them undermines the public’s right to know and hold power accountable, eroding citizens’ trust in institutions.
Accordingly, the organization calls on the Algerian authorities to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release journalist Abdelwakil Blamm and all journalists detained for their professional activities;
- Annul the conviction against journalist Abdelkrim Zeghileche and end all forms of judicial or administrative harassment against journalists and independent media workers;
- Lift the travel bans imposed on journalists Ihsane El Kadi, Saad Bouakba, Said Boudour, and Mustapha Bendjama, as they violate Article 49 of the Constitution and the right to freedom of movement under the ICCPR;
- Review national legislation, particularly the Penal Code and the Information Law, to ensure full compliance with Article 54 of the Algerian Constitution and Article 19 of the ICCPR;
- Guarantee a free and safe media environment enabling journalists to carry out their duties without fear of censorship, repression, or retaliation;
- Uphold Algeria’s international commitments as a party to the United Nations and African Union treaties concerning freedom of expression and human rights.
SHOAA for Human Rights concludes that the true celebration of National Press Day lies not in slogans or symbolic gestures, but in a genuine political will to protect journalists and safeguard freedom of speech, in line with the spirit of the Constitution and international conventions ratified by Algeria, thereby paving the way for a free, responsible, and independent press that serves truth and society.
