Hundreds of Tunisian journalists gathered near government offices on Thursday to protest mounting restrictions on the press and demand the release of colleagues held in detention. They vowed that the widening crackdown would not silence them.
Protesters waved press cards and chanted slogans such as “Journalism is not a crime” and “Freedom for Tunisian media,” highlighting growing fears over unprecedented threats to free expression since President Kais Saied seized power in 2021.
The Tunisian Journalists’ Syndicate (SNJT) said the government is systematically targeting independent media to stifle dissenting voices. Freelance journalist Nourredine Ahmed said, “The situation is sounding the alarm. Journalism is under attack. We cannot freely cover government or parliamentary activity, nor events on the streets.”
Amira Mohamed of Mosaique Radio described the environment as “very bleak,” noting that dozens of journalists are facing prosecutions and several are imprisoned. Reporters have complained about delays in issuing 2025 press cards, while foreign journalists report restrictions on filming permits that leave them exposed to police obstruction and detention.
The SNJT added that state media, including television and radio, now largely serve as mouthpieces for the Saied administration. At least five journalists are currently in prison, and others are under judicial investigation for social media posts or critical reporting.
Minister of Justice Laila Jaffal has insisted that prosecutions are for defamation, not for freedom of expression. Nevertheless, authorities last month suspended Nawaat, one of Tunisia’s leading independent investigative media outlets.