In Tunisia, two prominent journalists, Mourad Zghidi and Borhen Bsaiss from IFM radio, have been imprisoned pending trial for making political comments on the radio. They are accused of publishing news containing personal data and false information aimed at defamation.
Their trial is expected at the end of the month. These detentions add to the total of five jailed journalists, with many others reportedly facing persecution, according to the Journalists’ Syndicate. Since the 2011 revolution, Tunisia has been seen as relatively open in terms of media freedom, but concerns have risen under President Kais Saied, who assumed power after free elections in 2019. Saied has shut down parliament, ruled by decree, and taken control of the judiciary, actions criticized by the opposition as a coup. However, Saied argues that these steps are necessary to combat years of chaos and corruption.
The European Union has expressed concern about the imprisonment of civil society figures, journalists, and activists, calling for clarifications from Tunisia. Additionally, Tunisian police recently stormed the Bar Association’s headquarters and arrested two critical lawyers, while last week, two activists were arrested for allegedly assisting sub-Saharan migrants and financial abuses.