Practicing Journalism under Media Legislation in Algeria: A Descriptive Study

This research aims to study the reality of practicing journalism in Algeria in light of the legal frameworks regulating the sector, with a focus on the Media Law 12-05 of 2012 and the Audiovisual Law 14-04 of 2014.The significance of this study lies in the sensitivity of the media profession and its role in shaping public opinion.Given the political and social changes in Algeria, the need to assess the effectiveness of the legal framework in protecting journalists' freedom and ensuring their independence becomes crucial.The study is based on the central issue: to what extent does media laws in Algeria affect the practice of journalism, and how well do they align with the requirements of press freedom and journalistic professionalism?The research analyzes the legal texts governing the sector and compares them with field practices that reveal significant challenges, such as the ambiguity of certain legal provisions, the punitive nature of penalties, the absence of a specific law regulating the journalism profession, and the prevalence of non-professionals in the field.The study finds that media practice in Algeria is governed by a dual legal framework: on the one hand, it affirms freedom of expression and media pluralism, while on the other hand, it imposes strict regulatory and ethical constraints, which are sometimes used to restrict journalistic work, especially on sensitive issues.The lack of independent bodies representing journalists and the weakness of ethical codes within media institutions hinder the development of a healthy professional environment.The study concludes that the development of media in Algeria requires a comprehensive review of the legal system, including the issuance of a specific law for journalists, the activation of self-regulation structures, and the enhancement of ethical and professional training for journalists.It also calls for a balance between freedom of expression and professional responsibility, moving away from a punitive approach that negatively impacts journalistic performance.