The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Algerian authorities to release two detained journalists and halt ongoing measures against press freedom. Last month, journalists Omar Ferhat and Sofiane Ghirous, who work for Algeria Scoop, were arrested and charged with inciting hate speech after publishing a video depicting two businesswomen protesting their mistreatment at a government-sponsored event. CPJ Program Director Carlos Martínez de la Serna stated that the detention reflects President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s intolerance for independent journalism, particularly as Algeria approaches its September presidential elections.
The arrest of Ferhat and Ghirous is part of a broader pattern of increasing repression in Algeria since President Tebboune took office in 2019. Journalists in the country have faced lengthy jail sentences on tenuous charges, with the legal costs imposing severe burdens on some news organizations. Algeria’s press freedom situation has worsened, as evidenced by Reporters Without Borders ranking the country 139th out of 180 in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index. The organization noted that threats and intimidation against journalists are on the rise, with no effective protection mechanism in place.
The deterioration of press freedom in Algeria is consistent with a regional trend observed in the Middle East and North Africa. Countries such as Syria and Tunisia have also seen significant restrictions on journalistic freedom, with numerous journalists arrested and detained for their critical reporting.
As the presidential elections approach, President Tebboune is expected to seek a second term. Amid this political landscape, organizations like the CPJ and Amnesty International are advocating for an end to the crackdown on journalists and the establishment of protections for press freedom. The CPJ’s full statement and more background on the situation can be found here.