Tunisian journalists protest rising media restrictions

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 21 November 2025 |  JP Global Monitoring Desk

On November 20, hundreds of Tunisian journalists protested against increasing media restrictions. The SNJT highlights bans on foreign correspondents and rising legal actions against critics.

Summary

TUNIS, Tunisia — Hundreds of Tunisian journalists gathered outside key government offices on November 20 to protest what they describe as an intensifying campaign to curb independent reporting, saying new restrictions have pushed the industry into its most precarious position in years, according to journalists’ groups. Demonstrators held up their press cards and chanted that journalism is not a crime as they demanded an end to policies they believe are deliberately designed to shrink the space for free expression.

Tightening Controls on Foreign and Local Media

The Tunisian Journalists’ Syndicate (SNJT) condemned the ongoing ban on work permits for foreign correspondents, a measure in place since September that has already forced several outlets to scale back coverage. Local reporters say delays in renewing 2025 press cards have left many unable to work or access official events. SNJT also criticized the increasing use of legal action against journalists who post government critiques online, noting that this trend risks pushing more reporters into self-censorship.

Fears of Deeper State Influence Over Newsrooms

Media observers warn that the restrictions reflect a wider shift toward state dominance of the information landscape under President Kaïs Saïed. They argue that administrative barriers, selective accreditation, and prosecutions collectively function as a deterrent to independent reporting. Rights advocates say the current trajectory threatens the public’s ability to access impartial news and weakens the capacity of the press to hold institutions accountable.