Anti-government journalists in Tunisia facing violence and imprisonment, says report

Journalists reporting on corruption in Tunisia are facing "harassment, physical attack and imprisonment", according to a report by the International Press Institute.

The document details the cases of several journalists who have either been sent to jail or face constant surveillance, as part of what is believed to be government oppression.

Anthony Mills, IPI's press freedom manager, said the country's progress has not extended to its treatment of journalists:

"It became bitingly clear to us that there is a yawning gap between Tunisia's noteworthy economic and social progress, and the enormous pressure under which independent journalists are forced to operate in the country. They face harassment, physical attack, and imprisonment."

According to the report, if journalists ignore warnings and continue to investigate corruption "the authorities react with redoubled wrath".

Case studies

The report's case studies include that of Slim Boukhdhir, who was sentenced to one year in prison and a five dinar (£2.25) fine in December 2007, after being convicted of insulting behaviour towards an official, breach of accepted standards of good behaviour and refusal to produce his identity papers to the police.

Reporting on the case, the Observatory for the Freedom of Press, Publishing and Creation (OPLEC) said it believes this was punishment for articles on corruption written by Boukhdhir.

"The whole period I was kept in solitary confinement - four months without light in a 2.8m x 2.8m cell," Boukhdhir is quoted as saying in the report. "In the fifth month, they provided me with a television".

But after his release, he failed to have his ID or passport returned.

If you don't have your ID, you don't exist," he added. "The only document I have is my bank card. Of course I am not allowed to work and my house is observed by the police all time."

Another case, involving journalist Soufiane Chourabi, highlights how journalists are also being gagged online.

Chourabi, who writes for Tunisian opposition newspaper Tariq Al-Jadid, as well as Al- Akhbar in Lebanon, had his blog and Facebook account blocked in Tunisia.

The report says he has to constantly change the address, which makes it difficult for his readers to keep track.

On the day this report was published, the IPI also announced that the four-year sentence of journalist Fahem Boukadous had been upheld.

Boukadous was found guilty of "belonging to a criminal association" and "harming public order", following his coverage of labour unrest, including demonstrations against corruption.

CPJ Census

According to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists, 97 per cent of newspaper campaign coverage was devoted to President Ben Ali in the 2009 elections.

Tunisia was placed tenth in the most recent CPJ annual census of journalists imprisoned across the world, with two known cases.

Free daily newsletter

If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).