✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada
With a 13-Place Surge, Algeria Leads Africa and the Middle East in Press Freedom Gains, Outpacing Regional Peers and Earning International Recognition
Algiers, Algeria | May 3rd, 2025 — In a resounding affirmation of its national reforms and commitment to media development, Algeria has achieved the most significant regional advancement in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Climbing 13 positions, Algeria now stands as the top-performing country in Africa and the Middle East in terms of year-over-year progress, outpacing Morocco (+9), Libya (+6), while Tunisia and Mauritania have witnessed sharp declines.
This remarkable leap is not merely statistical—it reflects a transformative shift in Algeria’s media landscape, marked by increased professionalization, structural reforms, legal guarantees, and enhanced institutional support. It also serves as tangible international recognition of the Algerian state’s efforts to uphold the principles of transparency, responsibility, and freedom of expression—within the framework of national sovereignty and ethical journalism.
According to RSF’s 2025 report, Algeria’s jump symbolizes a “positive momentum toward greater press independence and improved journalistic conditions,” echoing the country’s strategic overhaul of its information ecosystem under the leadership of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The president’s direct engagement with media professionals, the promulgation of new regulatory frameworks, and the reinforcement of journalists’ rights have all contributed to this unprecedented ascent.
While several countries in the region face mounting criticism for backsliding on press freedom, Algeria stands apart as a beacon of progress, embracing reform and accountability. The RSF ranking serves as validation of recent initiatives including:
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The finalization of a comprehensive legal arsenal (covering the audiovisual, electronic, and print sectors);
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The elaboration of a journalistic code of ethics and professional statute;
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The relaunch of the Press Support Fund to promote pluralism and quality media production;
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And the expansion of regional training programs to boost capacity-building across the country.
As Algeria celebrates World Press Freedom Day 2025, the RSF ranking amplifies a broader narrative: that the country is not only catching up—but setting the pace for others in the region.
