In Tunisia, the publication of “false information” is punishable by five years in prison

The National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) calls for the withdrawal of the presidential decree on the “disinformation”. The controversial text condemns to prison anyone spreading “fake news” or some “rumors” on line.

The decree, recently published in the Official Journal, provides for a five-year prison sentence and a fine of 50,000 Tunisian dinars (15,500 euros) for anyone “who deliberately uses communication networks and information systems to produce, promote, publish or send false information or false rumors“. The penalty can be up to ten years if “false information” targets state officials.

For Reporters Without Borders, this new regulation, which remains vague on the notion of “false information” leaves room for interpretation and jeopardizes the freedom of the press.
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“It is a liberticidal law intended to dissuade journalists from doing their job. It aims to create a climate of fear and to push professionals to self-censorship”

Khaled Drareni, Reporters Without Borders representative in North Africa

RSF

The organization Reporters Without Borders explains, moreover, that foreign journalists are also affected by these regulations. The text provides that offenders can be prosecuted in Tunisia, even if the offense is committed abroad, since it aims “Tunisian parties or interests“. In other words, foreign journalists or journalists based abroad, who have published information qualified as false or deemed contrary to Tunisian interests, are targeted..

Since President Kaïs Saïed’s coup on July 25, 2021, many voices have been raised to denounce the threats to freedom of expression in Tunisia. The new presidential decree revives concerns and proves that “the authorities in place aim to establish a political and legal system hostile to the rights and freedoms”, as underlined by the SNJT which calls for the repeal of the text.