Long road ahead for Tunisia’s media

By Virginie Jouan, IMS Programme Manager for Tunisia

Two years after the overthrow of President Ben Ali, a profound reform and renewal of the media sector in Tunisia remains underway

2011 saw extensive consultations with and among media stakeholders and freedom of expression advocates and the formulation of new media legislation. 2012 however, was marked by obstruction, intensified violence and a resurgence of censorship. With constitutional and electoral deadlines set for the near future, 2013 will be decisive. The new media legislation of the sector and support mechanisms to independent news media have yet to be backed by the Ennahdha-led government.

The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in the town of Sidi Bouzid in central Tunisia in December 2010, changed the course of history in a country ruled by dictatorship, marked by entrenched oppression and suppression of dissident voices and independent media. This extreme gesture led to the ousting of Ben Ali, had a profound impact on the region and echoed across the world. It was about dignity, justice and freedoms.

The question is however, where Tunisia stands today with regard to the demands its citizens paid such a high price for.

Recommendations formulated by the consultative body established in March 2011 to advise on the reform of the information sector and led by Kamel Labidi, the National Authority for Reform of Information and Communication (INRIC), and other informed professional and civil society groups have been dismissed.

INRIC members eventually resigned over the summer 2012 in the face of what they qualified as governmental obstruction and resurgence of censorship.

According to freedom of expression advocate Fahem Boukadous, this was not about a lack of political will, but more so about “a strategy from the government to obstruct reform and grab control of the Tunisian media.” For others, including prominent freedom of expression figure Sihem Bensedrine, the doors of the government are now simply closed.

Professionalism and diversity remain low

Whereas there is no doubt that freedom of expression and media freedoms have come about in Tunisia, the full realisation of these rights has yet to come.

News media, print, broadcast and online, have multiplied since early 2011, but the level of professionalism and diversity in Tunisia is still low. While progress is remarkably underway, the road to a fully professionalised media reporting independently and objectively is long.

Instances of censorship are reported particularly in state media and violence against media professionals is intensifying to unprecedented levels. Attacks against journalists are reported to have been committed by police, Salafist groups and individual citizens, while criminal charges are brought against journalists and media owners using Ben Ali era legislation that has not been changed.

2013 a critical year for Tunisia’s media

Realities and transition processes differ from one country to another, but the failure of Tunisia to embrace and protect democratic values and mechanisms, including those pertaining to free expression, would send a detrimental signal to other countries across the region and beyond.

The first half of 2013 will be marked by decisive constitutional and electoral deadlines. Debates around which political system to adopt, the role of religion in society, defamation as a criminal offense,  and women’s place in society have been heated and have come at a cost of dividing society.

Tunisian news media will again in 2013 have a critical role to play in informing citizens accurately and reflecting a great diversity of views. But the question remains whether they will have that editorial space and fundamental freedom.

IMS works to support institution building in Tunisia, media professionalisation and accountability, content production and monitoring.