Two Algerian journalists, Sofiane Ghirous and Ferhat Omar, have been arrested for publishing a video showing businesswomen protesting their treatment at a government-sponsored event.
The journalists, who work for the news website “Algerie Scoop”, were detained last week for broadcasting material that authorities claimed “constituted incitement and hate speech”.
The video in question shows women start-up founders accusing the government of “humiliating” and treating them with “contempt” at an innovation event organized by the Ministry of Education and Professional Training. Ghirous is the editor-in-chief of Algerie Scoop, which is accredited by the government, and Omar is the website’s director.
The arrests have sparked concerns about press freedom in Algeria, which has been under pressure in recent years.
Reporters Without Borders has downranked Algeria on its freedom of expression index to 139th out of 180 in 2024, citing “pressure on independent media and threats to arrest journalists”.
The crackdown on freedom of expression comes as Algeria prepares for an election in September, in which President Tebboune is likely to seek a second term.
The arrests have been condemned by human rights groups and media organizations, who see them as an attempt to silence critical voices in the country.
In a related incident, Diaspora Digital Media gathered that authorities raided a bookstore in the city of Bejaia over the weekend to prevent the sale of a book deemed critical of the government. Several people, including journalists and activists, were briefly arrested during the raid.