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January 7, 2025January 06, 2025 – Algeria –
The arrest of Algerian freelance journalist and activist Abdelwakil Blamm marks a new low in the country’s ongoing crackdown on press freedom. Blamm was detained on December 29, 2024, near his home in Chéraga, Algiers, and later formally charged with “spreading false news,” “undermining national unity,” and alleged ties to a terrorist organization. His pretrial detention was ordered by the Sidi M’Hamed Court on January 6, 2025.
Blamm is widely recognized for his vocal criticism of the government and his social media commentary, particularly through his Facebook page, which has more than 15,000 followers. He was also a prominent figure in the 2019 anti-authoritarian #manich_radi movement and has consistently used his platform to challenge state narratives. Press freedom watchdogs, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Civicus, have strongly condemned his arrest, calling it politically motivated and demanding his immediate release.
Blamm’s case is not isolated. Just one day after his arrest, on December 30, journalist Mustapha Bendjama was also detained and placed under judicial control in Annaba for his online writings. These incidents reflect a troubling trend in Algeria, where journalists are increasingly targeted under vague and overly broad laws, particularly anti-terrorism and disinformation statutes.
Civil society groups warn that Algeria is using national security pretexts to silence dissent and criminalize journalism. According to Reporters Without Borders, Algeria ranks 139th out of 180 countries in press freedom, a sign of its deteriorating media environment.
Blamm’s arrest has sparked calls for reform, including the repeal of repressive legal provisions that allow the state to detain journalists for their work. Press freedom advocates argue that such measures are incompatible with democratic values and Algeria’s constitutional guarantees.
Unless Algerian authorities reverse course and uphold press protections, the country risks further isolating itself internationally and deepening its democratic decline. The detention of journalists like Blamm sends a chilling message: in Algeria today, critical voices are not only unwelcome—they are punishable.
Reference –
https://monitor.civicus.org/explore/arrest-of-journalists-and-writer/