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The Day · Tuesday 16 December 2025

Filed 22:20 · Palestine time (UTC+2) · World

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Tunisian Journalists’ Union Warns of Escalating Media Freedoms Crackdown

The Tunisian journalists’ union has issued a warning over what it describes as a growing crackdown on media freedom. The alert reflects increasing concern among press circles over the state of journalism in Tunisia. The union has raised the alarm as pressures mount on the rights of journalists to operate without intimidation or interference.

Journalists are raising placards during a rally staged by the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) in front of its headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia, on March 6, 2024, in solidarity with Tunisian journalist Khalifa Guesmi. The journalists participating in the rally are protesting the imprisonment of their colleague and are calling for his release. Khalifa Guesmi was imprisoned after being sentenced on appeal to five years in prison under anti-terrorism legislation. The rally is coinciding with the examination by the Court of Cassation of the journalist’s case. (Photo by Chedly Ben Ibrahim/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The Tunisian journalists’ union has sounded the alarm over what it warns is a growing crackdown on media freedom in the country. The union, in its latest position, emphasized rising concern over the aggregate targeting and restriction of journalistic work across Tunisia amid tightening atmospheres.

In a direct and unambiguous message, the union indicated that media freedoms are under intensifying pressure, pointing to an alarming trend threatening the integrity of journalistic expression and independence. The warning comes as fears grow among journalists and media practitioners about their right to carry out professional duties without harassment, surveillance, or censorship.

According to the union, the current period marks a concerning escalation, with signals indicating that critical voices within the media space are being increasingly suppressed. The union underscored that the state of freedoms previously won through struggle is now visibly at risk, with regulatory and informal tactics contributing to an environment hostile to free reporting.

From its side, the union portrays this moment as a turning point, urging those invested in media independence and democratic accountability to stand against what it deems as efforts to dismantle the pillars of free press in Tunisia. It stated that the situations confronting journalists demand firm attention and collective resistance in defense of the profession and its essential societal role.

Meanwhile, the warning issued by the union is seen as a continuation of alerts coming from within the profession, highlighting issues that go to the heart of freedom of expression and the public’s right to know. Through its stand, the union seeks to mobilize protection for journalists who face growing obstacles in their pursuit of truth and documentation.

The statement stressed that media workers are increasingly reporting constraints on field coverage, editorial independence, and institutional autonomy. It also pointed to efforts aimed at silencing dissenting narratives—an approach the union says undermines both democratic values and public trust in governance.

In addition, the union reaffirmed its commitment to standing on the front lines of this struggle, defending its members and vocalizing incidents of infringement wherever they appear. It demanded that authorities respect the rights enshrined in national and international statutes, reiterating the profession’s role as a cornerstone in any society claiming to uphold justice and transparency.

This warning, issued from within Tunisia’s press community, stands as a stark reminder of mounting challenges. The context in which it was released reflects the tension between institutions of power and voices striving to document, challenge, and resist the erosion of freedoms. It conveys a call for solidarity and vigilance at a time when media workers feel increasingly isolated and exposed.

As concerns rise, the Tunisian journalists’ union continues to position itself at the heart of the resistance against restrictions targeting the media, emphasizing that silence in the face of repression is not an option acceptable to those who carry the weight of truth-telling as both duty and right.

16 Dec, 22:20

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