Summary:

In recent weeks, two journalists were arrested in Tunisia, raising concerns about the degradation of press freedoms and the suppression of dissenting voices. 

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Zied Heni was arrested on 28 December following critical comments he made about a senior member of the Tunisian government. Heni hosts a daily radio program on IFM.  

This was not Heni’s first encounter with security forces as he was arrested earlier this year under the auspices of having insulted President Saied.  

Samir Sassi, a journalist affiliated with Al Jazeera, was arrested on 3 January after an anti-terrorism raid on his home during which electronic devices and papers were seized. Sassi was released on 5 January. 

Multiple press unions and groups advocating for press freedoms issued statements condemning the arrests and expressing concern about the degradation of press freedoms in Tunisia. 

Outlook: 

Tunisian journalists continue to feel pressure from the government which has leveraged broad arrest and legal powers granted under anti-terrorism laws to search, detain, and question individuals. 

These actions continue to erode confidence in the government’s transparency at a time when Tunisia is increasingly vulnerable economically. Concerns that the government is silencing dissenting or critical voices may lead to protests and increased frustration among the population. 

Press freedoms will also be an essential component of the upcoming 2024 elections that will see President Saied running for re-election and reconfirmation of his popular mandate. 

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