Journalism has become a risky profession in Tunisia

This title is inspired by a statement made by lawyer Sania Al-Dahmani, a political analyst at one of the private radio stations in Tunisia, who was referred for investigation for “criminal acts”, these acts were commenting on those referred for investigation in a case known as “conspiracy against state security”. A few days before that, journalist Mohamed Boughalleb, who is known for his extreme boldness, was sentenced to six months in prison because of a social media post that angered the minister of religious affairs.

Decree 54 is what has restricted the freedom of expression in a severe and unprecedented manner, making everyone involved in public affairs like someone in a mined area, not knowing when they’ll step on one. Since the primary professional tool of journalists, lawyers and politicians is speech, they are most vulnerable to judicial accountability and security prosecution.

President Kais Saied insists on denying the opposition and belittling the positions of international organisations, which confirm in their reports that Tunisia is going through a crisis, that the freedom of parties and civil society organisations has been greatly reduced, and that the freedom of the press and journalists is constantly being restricted.

In his last meeting with the minister of the interior and senior security officials, Saied assured them that “those who attempt to attack the state and its institutions will not go unpunished,” adding that “Freedom does not mean chaos. Freedom must be exercised within the framework of the law.” He also noted that “Some parties who do not appear in public are the ones who work to exacerbate the situation in the country and spark off crises.”

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Despite official assurances that Tunisia is a free country, the pace of protests at home and abroad is expected to escalate on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day which is celebrated annually on 3 May. Last year, Reporters Without Borders recorded in its report that Tunisia dropped 27 places in the world rankings. It ranked 121 out of 180 countries, while it ranked 73 in 2020 and 94 in 2021.

Given the wide range of trials to which many journalists were subjected that are related to freedom of expression, there is a high possibility that Tunisia’s global ranking will decline this year. That is why Le Maghreb newspaper titled its main article this week “Where is Tunisia going: Politically, backwards”. This is a question that reflects the extent of confusion surrounding everyone, including the regime’s supporters. No one has the answer, and no one can justify everything issued by the authority. Most editorial boards, regardless of the media institution, be it a newspaper, radio, or television, live in a constant state of anxiety, because they do not know when one of their journalists or guests will be summoned for questioning about an issue they thought was a normal matter being discussed in the country. With every such event, these boards feel like their oxygen levels are gradually dropping, and so they reconsider their editorial policy in order to remain able to survive and breathe.

As for the forgotten political prisoners, they have been in prison for a long time, although their cases lack evidence justifying their continued imprisonment. This is what their lawyers confirm, which is why their families are demanding that they be tried quickly and that the law be applied to them, because the authorities have exceeded the maximum period of preventative detention. This issue is considered very serious because it is the line separating legal and illegal detention. Any suspect who remains in detention without evidence or a judicial ruling must not be kept behind bars.

Tunisia needs to stop and contemplate its situation. The war of attrition between the head of state and his country’s elite must stop. Restoring hope is possible. It is enough for Kais Saied to stand up and deliver a courageous speech in which he announces several measures related mainly to allowing freedoms once again, so that the people’s smiles can return to their faces, everyone can let out a sigh of relief, and presidential elections can be held in a healthy atmosphere. He is capable of this.

READ: Tunisia journalist sentenced to 6 months in prison for insulting an official

This article first appeared in Arabic in Arabi21 on 29 April 2024

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.