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Tunisian journalists behind bars reflect growing repression of media freedom

Tunisians have been concerned about the return of oppression and restriction on media freedoms following renewed military trials of civilians, arrests and attacks on journalists.

Journalists hold up signs reading in Arabic (R to L) "freedom of the press is a red line."
Journalists hold up signs reading in Arabic (R to L) "freedom of the press is a red line," "fourth estate not kneeling estate," and "a government which does not respect the law," as they gather for a demonstration outside the headquarters of Tunisia's national Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) news agency in the capital on April 15, 2021. — FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images

TUNIS — The National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists confirmed in a statement Oct. 6 its absolute rejection of military trials of civilians, journalists and activists based on their positions, views and publications. This comes against the background of a heightened arrest campaign of journalists and activists, most of whom oppose President Kais Saied who ousted the government and suspended parliament with help from the army on July 25.

The syndicate warned against the return to freedom restrictions, and considered these trials a setback for freedom of expression and a blow to democracy and the right to disagree.

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