Tunisia: Government's pre-election censorship and media crackdown stifles press freedom

_{Skyline International for Human Rights condemns the recent ban imposed by Tunisian authorities on the French-language magazine Jeune Afrique. The ban, which has not authorized the latest issue from reaching newsstands in Tunisia just days before the presidential elections scheduled for October 6, raises critical alarms about the deterioration of press freedom in the country.} 

_{The September 2024 issue, No. 3140, titled “L’hyper-président” (The Hyper President), critically examines Tunisia's political landscape under President Kais Saied, focusing in particular on the country’s troubling shift towards authoritarianism and the decline of democratic gains, including freedom of expression, that were hard-won since the 2011 revolution.}

_{According to the magazine's management, the censorship stems from the issue's cover story and an investigative piece criticizing President Saied's mandate. This action not only curtails public access to crucial information but also undermines the democratic process at a time when an informed electorate is paramount.}

_{Jeune Afrique has long been recognized for its insightful coverage of African and Arab political matters, and its solid track record in investigative journalism has often placed it at odds with regimes seeking to suppress dissenting voices in the media. This recent ban mirrors a history of similar restrictions during the regime of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, when the magazine was targeted for its investigations into corruption and human rights violations.}

_{“Media control and censorship is not merely a setback—it’s a slippery slope that could lead Tunisia back into the dark past under Ben Ali’s regime. Muzzling independent journalism stifles the fundamental principles of freedom of expression and limits access to diverse perspectives that are critical for shaping informed public discourse,” said Dima Samaro, Director of Skyline International for Human Rights.“With elections just around the corner, Tunisian authorities must ensure that journalists and independent media can work free from the heavy hand of censorship and intimidation.”}

_{The current political situation in Tunisia is increasingly marked by a broader crackdown on press freedom, a trend that has escalated since President Saied power grab in 2021. In recent months, numerous media outlets, including private radio station IFM and the television channel Carthage Plus have been forced to suspend their most popular programs. Notably, journalists and hosts of the radio show Emission Impossible, Borhane Bsaïs and Mourad Zeghidi, were each sentenced to a year in prison for spreading "fake news" and making "false statements" that defamed the president. Additionally, Khouloud Mabrouk, the host of IFM's 90 Minutes program, was questioned by police regarding her reporting. These cases underscore the growing threats faced by independent media in Tunisia.}

_{In just one year, the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) has reported a staggering 211 attacks on journalists, with 39 journalists were prosecuted under restrictive laws such as Decree 54, the Communications Code, and the Penal Code, while five have received prison sentences—a blatant violation of Decree 115, which regulates the freedom of the press, printing and publishing in Tunisia.}

_{Skyline International for Human Rights fears that Tunisian authorities are systematically targeting and restricting press freedom, particularly in the politically charged atmosphere leading up to the presidential election. We strongly urge the authorities to lift the ban on Jeune Afrique and allow for the magazine to be freely sold and accessible to the public.}

_{The Tunisian government should ensure that independent media can conduct their reporting free from harassment, intimidation or censorship, in accordance with the country’s constitution, which guarantees freedom of opinion, thought, and a free press.} 

_{We also call on Tunisian authorities to uphold their obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Tunisia is a signatory, that protects the rights to freedom of expression and opinion, along with the relevant provisions in Tunisia’s constitution and other international commitments.}

_{We cannot forget that limiting media freedom and stifling the free flow of information weakens democracy. Without journalistic reporting, Tunisians cannot make informed decisions and therefore lose their freedom to vote. Censoring press freedom is a hallmark of authoritarian governments and a tool they use to cling to power without criticism or opposition.}
 

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