When veteran journalist Elyes Gharbi announced on June 28 that he was leaving the “Midi Show” after nine years with the first Tunisian radio station, Mosaïque FM, he did not provide any reasons for his departure. However, this decision came just a few months after he acknowledged that journalism in the country faced “incredible threats” and a year after being targeted by a police investigation due to comments made during the program.
As Tunisia prepares for its first presidential election since President Kais Saied took power, authorities have suppressed dissenting voices, particularly in the media. Human Rights Watch has reported that at least five media workers are currently incarcerated for their work or opinions. According to the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), at least 39 journalists have faced prosecution related to their work since May 2023, primarily under the repressive decree-law 2022-54 on cybercrime and the 2015 anti-terrorism law.
In May and July 2024, two prominent journalists, Borhen Bsaies and Mourad Zeghidi, along with lawyer and commentator Sonia Dahmani, were sentenced to one year in prison under the cybercrime law. By the end of July, the Tunis Court of Appeal reduced their sentences to eight months. Last year, Noureddine Boutar, the director of Mosaïque FM, was detained for three months and accused of “money laundering“, “conspiracy“, and “terrorism“, including alleged incitement against President Saied. Recent police inquiries have also targeted representatives from other private channels and radio stations, as well as the independent media outlet Nawaat.
This repression is systematically eliminating all criticism and diversity of opinions within the Tunisian media landscape. Political discussions have nearly vanished from the airwaves. The private radio station IFM and the television channel Carthage+ have suspended their most popular programs, which featured Dahmani, Bsaies, and Zeghidi, who is now incarcerated, as well as “90 minutes” on IFM, whose presenter, Khouloud Mabrouk, had been interrogated by police in April regarding her journalistic activities. Mabrouk stated that the abrupt end of the show was partly due to “pressures“.
Journalists working in public media have been striving against censorship to uphold their public service mission since President Saied initiated a purge of their leaders in 2021. His administration has appointed new executives—especially at the helm of Tunis Africa Press (TAP), the national news agency—who have sometimes reverted to old authoritarian practices. For instance, according to the SNJT, TAP’s CEO Najeh Missaoui instructed that a widely circulated dispatch about a new presidential candidate be removed.
President Saied owes much to Tunisia’s free press: he was elected following participation in the first televised presidential debates in 2019. As the October 6 election approaches, it is now his duty to uphold media freedoms and ensure the unrestricted flow of information.
Tunisia’s Press Freedom Crisis: The Impact of Repression on Journalism
On June 28, veteran journalist Elyes Gharbi announced his departure from Tunisia’s acclaimed “Midi Show,” a program he helmed for nine years on Mosaïque FM, the country’s leading radio station. Despite Gharbi’s long-standing presence and impact on Tunisian media, he left without disclosing his reasons. His exit comes amidst a troubling backdrop of escalating threats to press freedom in Tunisia.
In recent months, journalists in Tunisia have reported facing incredible threats. In April 2024, Gharbi himself articulated concerns over the hostile climate for reporters. His departure raises questions about the safety and integrity of journalistic practice in a country that has seen significant political upheaval.
Censorship and Political Repression
As Tunisia gears up for its first presidential election since President Kais Saied’s power grab, the media landscape has witnessed drastic changes. Authorities have intensified their crackdown on dissenting voices, particularly in the realm of journalism. Human Rights Watch reveals that at least five journalists are currently imprisoned due to their work or opinions.
According to the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), over 39 journalists have faced prosecution since May 2023. Many of these charges are originating from the repressive Decree-Law 2022-54, which addresses cybercrime, and the anti-terrorism law enacted in 2015.
Recent High-Profile Cases
The repercussions of this media crackdown have been stark, with prominent journalists like Borhen Bsaies and Mourad Zeghidi, along with commentator Sonia Dahmani, sentenced to one year in prison for alleged violations under the cybercrime law. In a recent ruling, the Tunis Court of Appeal reduced their sentences to eight months, but the chilling effect of such legal actions on media operations is profound.
In a further illustration of the repression, Noureddine Boutar, the director of Mosaïque FM, spent three months behind bars accused of serious charges including money laundering and conspiracy, stemming from his journalistic activities critiquing the President.
The Consequences of Suppressing Dissent
This systemic suppression is gradually obliterating the diversity of opinions within Tunisia’s media space. Political discourse has been silenced, with leading private radio stations like IFM and Carthage+ suspending their flagship programs that previously featured dissenting opinions. This systematic retreat from free expression can lead to a homogenized media environment devoid of critical voices.
The Involvement of Public Media
Public media journalists have been battling against censorship while trying to fulfill their essential public service roles. Following President Saied’s purge of media leaders starting in 2021, newly appointed executives have often reverted to authoritarian practices reminiscent of Tunisia’s past. Reports indicate that Tunis Africa Press (TAP) CEO Najeh Missaoui has been responsible for the removal and suppression of critical reports.
The Role of the Free Press in Democracy
Tunisia’s free press has played an intrinsic role in the nation’s democratic landscape. President Kais Saied’s electoral ascent was significantly fueled by his participation in televised presidential debates back in 2019. As critical voices are silenced, the upcoming date of October 6 for the presidential election looms closer, raising concerns over media freedoms and the healthy dissemination of information in the country.
Practical Tips for Supporting Press Freedom
- Stay Informed: Follow international news outlets that cover press freedom issues in Tunisia.
- Support Independent Media: Engage with platforms dedicated to protecting press freedoms, such as Nawaat.
- Advocate for Journalists: Use social media to raise awareness about imprisoned journalists and ongoing cases.
- Participate in Campaigns: Join petitions and support organizations like Human Rights Watch that work on behalf of journalists.
Case Studies: The Impact of Censorship
| Journalist | Charges | Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Borhen Bsaies | Cybercrime violations | Reduced to 8 months |
| Mourad Zeghidi | Cybercrime violations | Reduced to 8 months |
| Sonia Dahmani | Cybercrime violations | 1 year in prison |
| Noureddine Boutar | Money laundering, terrorism | 3 months in prison |
