Tunisia's public media sector is experiencing its most challenging period, with many journalists describing a return to the repressive era of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The sector has deteriorated significantly since July 25, 2021, when President Kais Saied assumed power. Journalists report that the public media has become a mouthpiece for the ruling power, with a lack of diverse opinions and a strict censorship regime.
In the decade following the 2011 revolution, Tunisia's public media made significant strides in establishing a culture of press freedom. News programs on public television featured experts, including current President Kais Saied, who openly criticized government officials. However, this tradition has been abandoned, and the public media now prioritizes content that supports the ruling power. The sector's leadership has been dominated by individuals who honed their skills during the Ben Ali era.
A review of the directors heading Tunisia's national television and radio stations, as well as the Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) agency and public or nationalized newspapers, reveals that many have a background in the Ben Ali era. Despite reform projects initiated over a decade ago, these individuals have remained in their positions. However, small groups of journalists are resisting official orders and striving to preserve a minimum level of professionalism.
Censorship and mediocrity have become prevalent in Tunisia's public media. On September 17, the national radio's official Facebook page featured a report on the CEO's participation in an awards ceremony for journalists covering the 2026 Mediterranean Games. This type of content has become typical, with the public media focusing on trivial stories and ignoring more pressing issues. Journalists report that the CEO interferes directly in content broadcast on air and published online.
A journalist at the Tunisian National Radio, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the CEO manages the Radio's official Facebook page and deletes content she deems unfavorable. A small group of journalists is attempting to resist the strict directives imposed upon them, but their efforts are restricted by severe censorship. These journalists try to diffuse brief reports on the activities of banned organizations, often choosing specific time slots to minimize visibility.
The situation is similar at the national television agency, where a small group of journalists has attempted to resist the "government rhetoric" that pervades the station's content. Journalists report that there is a complete absence of shows featuring debates with divergent opinions. Since July 25, 2021, not a single guest with a contrary opinion has been permitted to appear on the station. The handful of journalists who have tried to resist have ultimately given up due to a lack of solidarity among colleagues.
Journalists at the national television station face pressure in three ways: harassment, marginalization, or being steered toward less important topics. Some have been sanctioned and brought before the disciplinary committee for expressing their opinions on public interest issues or protesting work methods. The situation has become so dire that some journalists have recorded their colleagues' opinions on personal Facebook pages and shared them with management, leading to further pressure and reprisals.
Key points
- The public media sector in Tunisia has become a mouthpiece for the ruling power, with a lack of diverse opinions and a strict censorship regime.
- Journalists who have attempted to resist the strict directives imposed upon them have faced harassment, marginalization, and reprisals.
- The situation has deteriorated significantly since July 25, 2021, when President Kais Saied assumed power.
