World Report - Algeria
| Publisher | Reporters Without Borders |
| Publication Date | 6 January 2010 |
| Cite as | Reporters Without Borders, World Report - Algeria, 6 January 2010, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4b7aa9c244.html [accessed 27 June 2017] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
- Area: 2,381740 sq. km.
- Population: 33,769,669
- Languages: Arabic and Tamazight (or the Berber language) since 2002
- Head of state: Abdelaziz Bouteflika, since 1999
Abdelaziz Bouteflika was re-elected president of Algeria for a third consecutive term on 9 April 2009. Immediately after his first re-election in May 2004, he restated his "determination to ensure freedom of expression". "We again want to strongly emphasize our determination to ensure an effective use of freedom of expression by everyone, in strict accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", the president said in a message to the press. However, there was very little change, despite these promises on free expression.
A quick look at the great variety of newspapers and magazines displayed on newsstands on Rue Didouche in Algiers might lure you into thinking Algeria enjoys real press freedom. There are nearly 80 different, mostly Arabic-language newspapers on sale in Algiers. The biggest daily is al-Shuruq, with a print run for more than 800,000 copies.
But the situation of the media, journalists and press freedom cannot be gauged by the number of newspapers on the newsstands. It is much more complex and subtle. The difficulties to which journalists are exposed have also changed with time. Although journalists no longer fear for their lives, their room for manoeuvre in terms of freedom of expression is limited. But apart from al-Khabar, Liberté and Ennahar, most newspapers continue to base themselves at the Maison de la presse, whatever their relationship with the government.
Further, press offences remain punishable by prison sentences and fines. Article 144a of the Algerian criminal code, in force since 2001, provides for jail sentences of two to 12 years and fines for any comments seen as defamatory. The criminalisation of such offences constitutes a veritable Sword of Damocles hanging over Algerian journalists. The courts are kept busy by countless legal proceedings against journalists and their editors. The first quarter of 2009, ahead of presidential elections, saw an upsurge in such cases, with numerous proceedings launched against independent publications, particularly, against that of Omar Belhouchet, editor of the newspaper al-Watan.
Moreover, despite lifting its monopoly on the press in 1989, leading to the founding of numbers of newspapers, the Algerian government has kept a stranglehold over printing and distribution. In fact the dailies al Khabar and al Watan did succeed in setting up an independent company that manages two printers (Algérie Diffusion and Impression de presse), but there are very few newspapers that do not rely entirely on state-run printers. The creation by the communications ministry in July 2008 of a holding company of printing houses has only further tightened state control in this area. This reduces any room for manoeuvre for newspapers wanting to cast a critical eye on Algerian society and politics. The same goes for newspaper distribution. Apart from al Khabar and al Watan which have managed to create an independent network, all the other titles remain dependent on the state distribution network.
The Algerian authorities have yet another financial weapon to wield against any recalcitrant members of the privately-owned press, through their monopoly on advertising. Since April 1968, the national publishing and advertising agency (ANEP), founded in December 1967, has awarded official and company advertising according to the editorial line of publications, with priority going to pro-government newspapers. The state has also kept control over television and radio since 1963.
The Algerian authorities repeatedly block the distribution of international newspapers in the country. Three French newspapers, L'Express, Marianne and le Journal du Dimanche, were censored in this way at the start of April 2009, on the eve of presidential elections. Earlier, on 7 March 2009, the Paris-based Afrique Magazine was banned for "damaging national values", as was the 30 October 2008 edition of the weekly L'Express for "offence against Islam".
