New Code for Post-Revolutionary Press Drafted in Tunisia

A new code for the press guaranteeing more liberties and freedom of expression to journalists as well as creating a high council for Audio-Visual media has recently been drafted.

The new code features new laws that will serve the journalists and their interests as to provide them with more rights, rapid access to information, more freedom of expression, confidentiality of sources and cancellation of the old law that penalized the journalists for their “political” opinions.

This new code, which is still pending agreement from the interim government, should replace the old laws that used to govern the profession of journalism prior to the 14^th of January.

This new project of 77 law articles is the result of rigorous concentrations between “The National Instance for the Reform of Information and Communication”, journalist syndicates, high positioned leaders in press companies as well as the Tunisian Editors Unions, affirms Ridha Jeneyah, head of the sub-commission in charge of media reforms in Tunisia.

This new code also facilitates the publication of newspapers and does remove powers delegated to the Ministry of Interior to intervene and stop the publication of any press outlet.

3 other penalizing laws were maintained among 12 at first that used to limit the profession of journalists in Tunisia and they mainly prohibit racial extremism, any call for physical assaults or any pornographic products that could target the under-aged and minor population in Tunisia.