No Space for Criticism in Tunisia

No Space for Criticism in Tunisia

Slim Boukhdir is no stranger to repression of the press. The Tunisian journalist spent eight months in prison for his criticism of Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ali. Boukhdir discusses the Tunisian President’s most recent intimidation of the press, which took place during his recent independence day address. Boukhdir writes, that “Ben Ali was addressing the media establishment in Tunisia when he referred to what he termed “the persistence [on the part of journalists] on emphasizing mistakes and violations” in their writing, describing the practice as “an activity that is unbecoming of our society and is not an expression of freedom or democracy,” as he put it”. A press law which calls for prison sentences for journalists is only one example of injustices in Tunisian society, according to Boukhdir.


The Source