Algeria: new law further tightens media oversight

Thus, Algerian press boss Ihsane El Kadi was sentenced to prison on April 2, a bill on information in Algeria, which further strengthens the supervision of the work of journalists and introduces new sanctions in case of offenses, was considered by the upper house of parliament. on Monday to pass it.

Already approved by the lower house of parliament on March 28, this 55-article organic bill is due to be voted on by the Council of the Nation, which acts as the Senate, on Thursday.

Among the main provisions of the text is the prohibition of the Algerian media from benefiting from any “funding” or “direct or indirect material assistance from any foreign party” under pain of “criminal sanctions prescribed by law.” A fine of almost 14,000 euros is also expected.

If the text states that “protection of professional secrecy is a journalist’s right under applicable laws and regulations”, it states that the journalist is required to disclose his or her sources of information to the court if requested to do so.

Binationals cannot be shareholders

In addition, the new law de facto deprives dual nationals of the right to own or be shareholders of media outlets in Algeria. The article sparked controversy among senators, some of whom highlighted the paradox between the fact that dual nationals are running for elections or even investing in Algeria but have no access to media capital.

Several senators also deplored the lack of implementation texts accompanying the bill. Senate President Salah Gujil himself noted in French that “the devil is in the details”, referring to the lack of implementation texts.

Mandatory accreditation for work in foreign media

The draft reaffirms the already existing obligation for journalists to obtain “accreditation” to work in Algeria for foreign media, with a fine of up to one million dinars (nearly 7,000 euros) for “any person carrying out activities in Algeria on behalf of a media outlet under foreign law without accreditation” .

Once approved, the bill will be the first media regulation to be enacted under President Abdelmajid Tebbun since he came to power at the end of 2019.

Ihsan El Qadi, accused of “foreign funding” of his company, was sentenced to five years in prison, three of which were suspended. He decided to appeal, according to the TSA. The International Federation of Human Rights called the trial “unfair”.

Algeria is ranked 134th out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index 2022.