Tunisia's data protection authority is in the process of amending the country's 2004 privacy law, which will regulate the use of personal data. Hacking into activists’ emails, tapping into dissidents’ phone calls, or installing surveillance...
Banning blasphemy: New Tunisian bill threatens free speech
Tunisia's ruling party, the Islamist Ennahdha movement, seek to criminalise blasphemy. The Ennahdha party filed a blasphemy bill on 1 August in response to what their leaders describe as “a continuous increase in number of offences against the...
Struggle for press freedom in Tunisia continues as media reform body closes
In an unexpected move on 4 July, the National Authority for Information and Communication Reform (INRIC) held a press conference announcing the end of its activities after disagreements with Tunisian PM Hamdai Jebali's government. The media reform...
Atheist convicted of insulting Muslims apologises on Facebook
Atheist Ghazi Beji, who was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison in absentia last March for insulting Islam has written an apology to Muslims. Beji, who fled the country before being sentenced for publishing a satirical book entitled "The...
Tunisia shutters information reform body
In an unexpected move on 4 July, the National Authority for Information and Communication Reform (INRIC) put an end to its activities. INRIC was created after the fall of the 23-year rule of Zeine el-Abidin Ben Ali last year to help reform the...
Concern as Tunisian media freedom body shuts down
On 4 July the National Authority for Information and Communication Reform (INRIC), a body enlisted with helping reform the media landscape in Tunisia, announced the end of its mission. In April 2012 INRIC had submitted its report with a set of...
Radio show host banned after station boss storms studio to confront outspoken guest
Tunisian radio journalist Nadia Heddaoui Mabkhout was denied access to the headquarters of RTCI (Radio Tunis Chaîne Internationale), suspended from work and had her radio show cancelled last Friday. Mabkhout was on her way to host her show Café...
Verdict in Muhammad cartoon conviction upheld
The Monastir appeal court has upheld a primary verdict in Tunisia's Muhammad cartoon case. In March, Jabeur Mejri and Ghazi Beji were sentenced to 7-and-a-half years in prison over the publishing of caricatures of the prophet Muhammad , and books...
Tunisian Ministry of Culture closes art gallery
On 12 June, the Tunisian Ministry of Culture decided to temporarily close Palais El-Abdelia, where the controversial Pritemps des Arts fair’s closing ceremony took place last Sunday. On the night of 10 June, ultra-conservative Islamists attacked...
Tunisian journalist ends hunger strike
Journalist and activist Ramzi Bettaieb ended a 15-day hunger strike yesterday. Three other activists and bloggers, Azyz Amami, Houcem Hajlaoui and Emine M’tiraoui, who went on hunger strike in solidarity with Bettaieb have also ended their action....
Ultra-conservative Islamists vandalise artworks at Tunis art fair
The Tunis Printemps des Arts (Spring of Arts), a modern contemporary art fair, ended on 10 June after 10 days of exhibitions and competition. The closing ceremony, which was supposed to be a celebration of art, was characterised by controversy,...
Political activist Fathi Tlili behind bars
13 days after police arrested him, Fathi Tlili, a coordinator for the Leftist Socialist Party (Le Parti socialiste de gauche in French), is still behind bars. The arrest followed Tlili’s participation in protests which swept Sakiet Sidi...