Court hands down three-month sentences to two journalists in defamation case
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ Dismayed by Jailing of Journalists in Algeria The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned three months jail sentences handed down by a court in Algiers against two journalists in a defamation case warning that the judgement threatens the fabric of press freedom in Algeria. […]
Provincial reporter sentenced to two months in prison two years after leaving newspaper
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders condemns the two-month prison sentence which an appeal court in Saida (440 km southwest of Algiers) imposed on journalist Hassan Bourras on 28 October 2008 in addition to the fine of 40,000 dinars (460 euros) to which he was originally sentenced. The court issued the additional sentence after upholding his […]
French weekly “L’Express” censored for “attack on Islam”
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has voiced its dismay at the Moroccan communications ministry’s 31 October 2008 announcement of a distribution ban on the international edition of the French weekly “L’Express” for “attacking Islam.” The 30 October to 5 November 2008 issue of the weekly had a cover headlined “The shock: Jesus-Mohammed: Their journey, their […]
Journalist given three-month suspended sentence
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 27 October 2008 IFJ media release: IFJ Condemns Conviction of Algerian Journalist The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today said that the conviction of Noureddine Boukraa on charges stemming from a complaint about an investigative article about local police is a clear attempt to intimidate the journalist for his […]
Journalist Mohamed Benchicou has book banned by police for second year running
(ANHRI/IFEX) – The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) has condemned a recent Algerian police order which prevents the publication of respected Algerian journalist Mohamed Benchicou’s book, “The Free Man’s Journal” (“Journal d’un homme libre”). The injunction has prevented the journalist from presenting his book at the 13th International Book Fair in Algiers, which […]
Three journalists arrested, questioned about sources and released
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ Calls on Algerian Government to Respect Democracy and End Harassment of Journalists The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today joined calls from Algerian journalists that the government respect journalists’ rights and end its practice of intimidating and harassing media to get them to reveal their […]
OLPEC’s secretary-general turned back at Algerian border
(OLPEC/IFEX) – The following is a 24 June 2008 OLPEC press release: Tunisian journalist turned back at Algerian border OLPEC Secretary General Sihem Bensedrine was turned back by Algerian border police on 18 June 2008 as she attempted to cross at the Oum Tboul border near Tabarka, in the northwest. She was on a private […]
AFP bureau chief and Reuters correspondent have their accreditation withdrawn following alleged “defamation”; court fines “Liberté” publisher, editor and cartoonist
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has condemned the Algerian government’s inability to tolerate criticism after the communication ministry stripped the Agence France-Presse bureau chief and the Reuters correspondent in Algiers of their accreditation on 10 June 2008, and a court fined the daily “Libert锑s publisher and editor and one of its cartoonists for defamation on […]
CAPSULE REPORT: Press freedom still fragile; IFJ urges decriminalisation of press offences, release from prison of media employees
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an excerpt from a 29 May 2008 IFJ report: Breaking the Chains: Press Freedom Campaign Algeria In a country emerging from a difficult period of extremist violence, in which the media were prominent among the victims, the press is often seen as free, but a series of measures in recent […]
Cartoonist, newspaper publisher and editor face possible prison sentences in defamation case over cartoon of former army chief
(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release: World’s Press Supports Algerian Cartoonist Göteborg, Sweden, 4 June 2008 – The World Association of Newspapers, which is currently holding its 61st World Newspaper Congress and 15th World Editors Forum in Göteborg, Sweden, strongly condemns the continuing legal harassment exerted against the renowned Algerian cartoonist Ali […]
Government bans issue of French weekly for publishing article on Kabylie region
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders condemns the government’s decision to ban distribution of the 4 May 2008 issue of the Paris-based news weekly “Jeune Afrique”, which has an article on the Algerian region of Kabylie. “This kind of arbitrary measure is likely to become more frequent as next year’s presidential election approaches,” the press freedom […]
Annual Report 2008: Algeria
Annual Report 2008: Algeria
Journalist who wrote about alleged corruption charged, placed under judicial control
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is worried about a court decision in the city of Annaba (600 km east of Algiers) on 4 March 2008 to formally charge the national Arabic-language daily “Ennahar”‘s correspondent, Noureddine Boukraa, and place him under judicial control as a result of a complaint by the region’s public security chief. “This is an […]
Two journalists sentenced to prison, fined for criticising local official in appeal decision
(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release: World’s Press Condemns Jail Sentences for Algerian Journalists The World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum have protested to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika against the jail sentences imposed against two leading journalists for a column criticising a local official. An appeals court, ruling on […]
Freedom of the Press 2007: Algeria
Freedom of the Press 2007: Algeria
Government takes direct control of six state printers
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is disturbed to learn that state-owned printing companies that print half of Algeria’s privately-owned newspapers were placed under direct government control on 5 January 2008. “The government has reinforced its surveillance of the press on the pretext of improving the management of state-owned companies,” the organisation said. “The editorial autonomy […]