Tunisia's media under siege

Since the enactment of Decree 54 by President Kais Saied on September 13, 2022, designed to combat what the government deems "false information," there has been a notable increase in legal actions against journalists and public figures in Tunisia.

This legislation, which can impose a prison sentence of up to five years for those who use communication networks to "write, produce, disseminate or spread false news" that harms others' rights or public safety, has been criticized widely for undermining freedom of expression and promoting self-censorship among media professionals.

Over the past eighteen months, more than 60 individuals including journalists, lawyers, and opponents of Mr. Saied have been prosecuted under this decree.

Freedom of expression was a major achievement of the 2011 Revolution that overthrew dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. However, since President Saied's coup in July 2021, which granted him sweeping powers, several NGOs and opposition members have expressed concerns about the regression in rights and freedoms.

According to Human Rights Watch, the Tunisian government is using this decree to suppress and intimidate a wide range of critics.

This ongoing situation raises critical questions about the balance between national security and freedom of expression, a cornerstone of any democratic society.