In response to increasing attacks on independent media in Algeria, the International Federation of Journalists will re-open its media crisis centre in Algiers to monitor press freedom violations and provide assistance to journalists operating in the country.

Three local journalists will run the centre, which is set to re-open in September 2004.

The media crisis centre was first established in the mid-1990s, during a period of political turmoil which saw the number of attacks on journalists rise significantly. It has been out of operation since 2000.

For more information on the media crisis centre, contact Rabah Abdallah, secretary general of the Sindicat National des Journalistes in Algeria, snjalger@hotmail.com, Telephone: +213-21-67 06 68

In recent weeks, three prominent journalists have come under attack by Algerian authorities: Ali Djerri, editor in chief of Algerias largest Arabic daily, Elkhabar, was sentenced in absentia to two months in prison on charges of defamation on 20 June. In total, the editor in chief reportedly has more than sixty court cases against him and his newspaper.

Mohammed Benchicou, managing editor of Le Matin, was sentenced to two years in prison and charged with a fine of 20 million dinars (approx 230,000) for violating foreign exchange controls on 14 June. Independent observers believe this charge was used as a pretext to silence the newspaper, which is widely known for its criticism of President Bouteflikas administration.

And Hafnaoui Ghoul, a human rights activist and correspondent for the dailies El-Youm and Djazair News received a two-month prison sentence for defamation on 9 June, in addition to the six-month sentence he had begun serving on charges brought against him on 25 May. Ghoul reportedly has an additional 35 new court cases pending against him.

Send an online protest letter to express your concern over the recent attacks on Algerias independent press! Visit www.rap21.org and click on Send a protest letter.