Tunisian journalists’ union warns of growing crackdown on media freedom

The head of Tunisia’s National Syndicate of Journalists has warned of what he described as an escalating “strangulation” of freedom of expression and media work in the country, citing judicial, administrative and security measures that he says are undermining the profession.

Ziad Debbar made the remarks on Saturday during a symposium organised by the Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights to mark International Human Rights Day. He said journalists are facing increasing restrictions on their ability to work freely, including limits on reporting in public spaces and attending court hearings.

Debbar said several journalists have been detained for months over their opinions or writings and are being tried outside the framework of Decree 115, the law governing press freedom in Tunisia. He described this as part of a broader effort to bypass legal protections for journalists.

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He also criticised what he called a “siege” on community media outlets and civil society organisations, pointing to what he described as unprecedented judicial, administrative and security actions. These include the suspension of professional press cards, the freezing of international media accreditation, and the loss of income for dozens of journalists.

The union head further accused the authorities of failing to publish an agreement signed with the journalists’ union in the official gazette and of closing off employment opportunities for recent graduates of the Institute of Journalism.

“This is not a temporary restriction,” Debbar said. “It is a comprehensive attempt to stifle freedoms, to strike at the heart of journalism, at the livelihoods of its workers, and at the public’s right to know.”

He added that journalists would continue to defend their profession, stressing that the union would not accept the punishment of journalists for expressing opinions or exposing facts.

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