SHOAA for Human Rights marks World Press Freedom Day amid an alarming and unprecedented decline in media freedom in Algeria, where journalism has shifted from being a free watchdog reflecting society’s voice to a space of systematic repression aimed at silencing independent voices.
Journalists in Algeria are increasingly treated as suspects simply for deviating from the official line, facing threats of imprisonment and prosecution in a climate marked by growing legal and security restrictions. Despite the guarantees enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 54 of the Algerian Constitution, the reality reflects a clear pattern of criminalizing journalistic work.
Several journalists are currently behind bars, while others face serious charges, including terrorism under Article 87 bis of the Penal Code. Among them is journalist Hassan Bouras, who launched an open-ended hunger strike inside prison on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, in a desperate protest highlighting the gravity of violations he faces and posing a real threat to his health and life. Journalist Abdelwakil Blamm has been detained for over 16 months without trial, in clear violation of fair trial standards, while journalist Abdelali Mezghiche is being prosecuted on charges of undermining national interest.
Other journalists continue to face judicial harassment and administrative repression, including Abdelkrim Zeghileche, who is subjected to repeated prosecutions and rulings, and Mustapha Bendjama, who faces arbitrary measures such as travel bans and security pressure, in an apparent attempt to silence all independent voices.
This situation reflects a systematic policy to dismantle free media through vague laws, politically motivated prosecutions, and trials that fall short of international standards of justice, alongside strict censorship and pressure on independent media outlets. Journalism in Algeria has become a high-risk profession, where speaking the truth comes at the cost of imprisonment, harassment, and defamation.
Accordingly, SHOAA for Human Rights calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained journalists, particularly Hassan Bouras, Abdelwakil Blamm, and Abdelali Mezghiche. It also urges an end to politically motivated prosecutions, the decriminalization of journalistic work, and the guarantee that journalists can perform their duties freely and without intimidation, including ensuring freedom of expression and access to information.
The organization further calls for an end to all forms of harassment, including travel bans and administrative restrictions, and for a comprehensive revision of media laws in line with international standards, to ensure the protection of journalists and the independence of the media.
