Freedom of the Press in Algeria and the Dialectic Relationship between Authority and the Private Press after Pluralism

Abstract

Freedom of the press has been a fundamental principle of various international laws and charters. Algeria sought to ratify it within the constitutions and organic laws related to the media after the period of political and media pluralism that was covered by the 1989 constitution; which recognized freedom of opinion and expression with the establishment private press thanks to the emergence of the Media Law in 1990. The Algerian media scene knew various private press. Freedom was experienced through several historical stations that were characterized by revival at times and constriction of freedoms at other times, which coincided with the political, and security conditions that Algeria went through, as well as attempts to legislate within a series of laws and presidential decrees as a measure of the authority to regulate the private press. The relationship between authority and the press reflects the status of freedoms in the country of the media outlet, also the reality of journalistic practice. Especially, since the relationship between authority and the private press in Algeria after the pluralism period has been marked by tension. Accordingly, what is the state of freedom of the press in Algeria, and what is the nature of the relationship of authority with the private press in Algeria after the period of pluralism?