During the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, hosts Thierry Henry and Kate Scott paused proceedings to pay tribute to imprisoned French journalist Christophe Gleizes, dedicating part of the globally televised event to his case and calling attention to his continued detention in Algeria.
The tribute was the latest chapter in an international campaign that has steadily expanded over the past year.
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, journalists from several countries publicly displayed “Free Gleizes” scarves at press conferences, while Reporters Without Borders (RSF) coordinated a series of solidarity actions around the tournament.
The campaign gained additional visibility when Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, expressed concern over Gleizes’ imprisonment and joined calls for his release.
According to RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index, Algeria ranks 145th out of 180 countries, down from 126th the previous year.
RSF says the country’s media landscape has sharply deteriorated, citing pressure on independent media, prosecutions of journalists and restrictions on reporting sensitive subjects.
RSF states that journalists in Algeria face risks when covering issues such as corruption, protest movements and government accountability, while several media outlets and websites have faced restrictions or blocking measures.