Tunisia‘s increased rate of media clampdown has become alarming in recent weeks and calls for concern.

Development Diaries reports that the Tunisian authorities have sentenced two journalists and a media founder to prison sentences and detained another media figure, according to findings by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

It is understood that the Tunisian authorities have escalated their repression of free speech under Decree-Law 2022-54 on Cybercrime as well as other archaic laws.

The government of Kais Saied is constantly restricting Tunisia’s civic space by attacking journalists and other media figures.

Since the end of 2022, over 70 people, including political opponents, lawyers, journalists, activists, human rights defenders and social media users, have been subjected to arbitrary prosecutions, according to findings from HRW.

It is understood that President Saied has severely undermined the judiciary, jailed several dozen opponents and critics and attacked civil society organisations, and now targeting the media.

Saied’s government needs to ensure that all Tunisians can freely express their views without fear of retaliation and that independent media are able to carry out their journalism work free from harassment or intimidation.

It is important to note that Tunisia is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which protects the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

Also, Tunisia has an obligation under the ICCPR and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to respect the right to a fair trial.

Development Diaries calls on Saied’s government to respect the rights of journalists and uphold its obligations under international law.

Photo source: UN