Tunisia eases penalty for 'false news' offences, but criticism persists
Tunisia has amended a decree on so-called 'false news' offences, replacing jail terms with fines for first-time offenders. Rights groups, however, say the decree remains repressive overall.
Tunisian authorities have revised a decree governing penalties for spreading so-called 'false news', replacing prison terms with monetary fines for people accused of the offence for the first time.
What has changed
Under the previous rules, those found to have spread false information faced the possibility of imprisonment. The amended decree now substitutes that penalty with a fine for first-time offenders, marking a softening of the punitive approach at least for those facing the charge for the first time.
Rights groups remain critical
Despite this adjustment, human rights organisations argue that the decree, taken as a whole, continues to represent a repressive legal tool. Advocates note that while swapping jail time for fines in first offences is a step toward a less punitive stance, it does not address the underlying concern: the use of such legislation to curb free expression and press freedom.
The broader debate over how these kinds of legal provisions are applied in practice has long been a point of contention between Tunisian authorities and civil society groups. The revision to the decree is being viewed as a partial response to that criticism, though it does not eliminate the fact that penalties still apply to information the state deems false.
It remains unclear exactly how the new provisions will affect ongoing or future cases involving accusations of spreading 'false news.' Rights organisations say they are continuing to monitor the situation and are calling for further reform of the legal framework.
