A French sports journalist has been sentenced to seven years in prison in Algeria, sparking widespread backlash. The harsh penalty appears tied to worsening diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria, though details of the charges remain unclear. Critics see it as a politically motivated crackdown on free speech.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one journalist—it’s a worrying sign of how quickly dissent can be crushed when international relations go south. With Algeria and France locked in a diplomatic chill, journalists and activists risk becoming collateral damage. It’s a stark reminder of how fragile press freedoms can be in politically charged environments.