39 journalists prosecuted outside framework of Decree-Law 115 (SNJT)

Tunis: President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), Zied Dabbar, deplored the prosecution of 39 journalists outside the framework of Decree-Law No. 2011-115 of November 2, 2011 relating to freedom of the press, printing and publishing. «Journalists are not asking for immunity, they are asking for a law governing the profession of journalism,» Dabbar said during a press conference held, Friday, at the Union's headquarters to present the annual report on the situation of press freedom in Tunisia. In this report, published on the World Press Freedom Day, the SNJT warned against the increasing number of trials of journalists under repressive laws including the law relating to the fight against terrorism and the repression of money laundering, the Penal Code and even Decree 54. The report adds that 211 assaults against journalists, correspondents and photographers were recorded between May 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024. The SNJT president described the situation of journalists in Tunisia as "gl oomy," referring to the challenges they face while accessing information. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse