ALGERIAN NEWSPAPERS

The written press in Algeria publishes in three languages: Arabic, French and Tamazight.
The majority of print publications are privately owned. The print press also publishes
online, on a daily basis, except for on Fridays (public observation of the Islamic holy day).

Since the end of 2016, the number of daily visitors of news websites and online editions
of newspapers surpasses the number of daily readers of print newspapers.

Writing in Arabic, English and French, Algerian bloggers cover social, cultural and political
topics. There are more than 100,000 Algerian blogs, a newspaper suggested in late 2014.

Algerian dailies mark the anniversary of the introduction of the defamation laws by
suspending publication in a protest known as a "day without newspapers".

Arabic-language newspapers include Echourouk , El Khabar, and El Massa,Ennahar,El

faddjr. French-language newspapers include El Watan, Le Quotidien, Le Soir, La tribune
and El Moudjahid. English-language newspapers include the North Africa Journal. Defunct
newspapers include Lisan al-Din (Language of Faith) founded in 1912, and the longer-
lived Al-balagh al-jazairi (Algerian Messenger) founded in 1926 by Sufi Ahmad al-Alawi
(1869–1934).
Newspapers in Algeria are a vital forum of information for the population. Literate
individuals who do not have access to televisions and radios can get up-to-date news
from one of the country's many newspapers. Some of Algeria's newspapers are available
online. This is a great way to find out what the situation in the country is and can give you
insight into the culture, lifestyle and issues facing the people.

A large percentage of Algeria’s mass media is government controlled, however the

private press is very active and has been known to offer candid opinions on the
authorities. Whilst there is no direct censorship of Algeria’s newspapers, legislation has
been put in place whereby prison sentences and fines can be administered should the
president, government, judges or army be insulted or slandered. Such laws have upset
media rights organizations that impute that the government is trying to maintain control
over the press. Aside from pressure by the government, members of the Algerian press
also face threats by Islamic militants. Despite this, Algerian newspapers continue to be
published and extensively distributed. Daily newspapers come out in Arabic and French.
They are mostly published in Algiers, Oran and Constantine. Weekly papers are also
published, some in other languages such as English.