A delegation from the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), led by its president, Zied Dabbar, met Wednesday with a group of MPs from parliamentary blocs and independents to exchange views on issues related to freedom of expression and the press. They also discussed ways to introduce new legislation that would provide mechanisms to protect the rights and freedoms of journalists in the service of quality journalism.

According to a SNJT press release, the meeting was an opportunity to stress the need for journalists to be prosecuted solely and exclusively on the basis of Decree-Law No. 115 (of November 2, 2011 on freedom of the press, printing and publishing).

In other words, there is no longer any question of justifying, for any reason or argument, the use of “draconian” laws or decree-laws that violate the rights of journalists, including in particular Decree Law No. 54 of September 13, 2022 on Combating Offences Related to Information and Communication Systems and the 2015 Anti-Terrorism Law, the
same source said.

During the meeting, the participants stressed that the status of freedoms is not a sectoral issue, but rather a vital question of principle that concerns all Tunisians.

One of the main effects of adopting laws that restrict freedoms is to encourage the growth of a culture of self-censorship, the sworn enemy of journalistic freedom, they added.

In light of the recurrence of trials against journalists, the two parties agreed to continue their consultations and joint actions.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse