Since President Kais Saied forced a number of extraordinary measures on July 25, which led to multiple human rights violations, the Tunisian authorities have been more aggressive in their targeting of journalists and media professionals.
The Tunisian Journalists Syndicate documented 24 attacks by the Tunisian authorities against media professionals and journalists in May 2024.
According to a report from the Syndicate’s Occupational Safety Center monitoring unit, there were six cases of prosecution against journalists, seven cases of incitement, four cases of arbitrary detention, three cases of harassment, two cases of prior censorship, one work ban, and one physical assault case.
According to the same report, 14 media organisations were targeted by the attacks, including 7 websites, 3 radio channels, 3 television channels, and 1 news agency.
The Syndicate reaffirmed its demand that all journalists who are detained be freed and given a fair trial in accordance with the laws governing their journalistic profession.
Tunisian President Kais Saied enacted “extraordinary” measures on July 25, 2021, including freezing the Parliament, passing laws by executive order, removing the Prime Minister, and dissolving the Supreme Judicial Council.
Since then, Tunisian authorities have resorted to arbitrary house arrests and unlawful travel bans against dozens of individuals, while military courts have increasingly targeted critics of the president with repressive laws.
Along the same lines, a number of Tunisian lawmakers were detained, raising grave concern about the country’s deteriorating record on freedom of expression and human rights.
