Two journalists in Tunisia sentenced to one year in prison

Tunisian journalists face crackdown as two sentenced to prison

In a troubling development for press freedom in Tunisia, two journalists have been sentenced to one year in prison for publishing false news that allegedly harms public security. Mourad Zghidi and Borhan Bsaiss, both journalists with IFM radio, were detained this month over political comments made on air.

This latest incident adds to the growing concerns of a crackdown targeting critical voices in the country. Tunisia has now imprisoned a total of six journalists, with dozens more facing judicial prosecution, according to the journalists’ syndicate.

The arrests come on the heels of a broader crackdown in May, where police detained 10 individuals, including journalists, lawyers, and civil society activists. Human Rights Watch has called on Tunisia to respect free speech and civil liberties amidst these troubling developments.

During their trial, both Zghidi and Bsaiss defended their work as journalists, emphasizing their commitment to analyzing political and economic issues. Tunisian journalists have rallied in support of their colleagues, demanding an end to restrictions on press freedom in the country.

Since the 2011 revolution, Tunisia has been seen as a relatively open media environment in the Arab world. However, concerns have been raised about the erosion of press freedom under President Kais Saied, who assumed power in 2019 and has since taken controversial steps to consolidate his authority.

As journalists in Tunisia continue to face threats and restrictions, the future of press freedom in the country remains uncertain.