Promoting Freedom of Expression and Information in Tunisia aims to support Tunisian journalists in fulfilling their important responsibility.
Why we support Tunisian journalists
The free exchange of information, and the ability of journalists to exercise their right to freedom of expression and to find out facts, are essential in a healthy democracy. It is often their work, uncovering the truth and holding those in positions of power to account, that helps citizens make informed decisions and likewise demand accountability from authorities.
How we work
Implemented in cooperation with the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) and other media sector stakeholders, the project furthers ongoing efforts to improve journalists’ and media actors’ ability to effectively exercise their rights to Freedom of Expression (FoE). It also wants to promote participatory and inclusive ways of developing and implementing a strong legal framework that protects freedoms of expression and information. And the project will also campaign to increase the public’s understanding of and support for Freedom of Expression and Access to information (AtI) in Tunisia.
We don’t only want to see journalists produce accurate journalistic content, but particularly that they become aware of and are able to exercise their rights to FoE, as enshrined in Tunisia’s constitution. Another goal is that policy makers, public officials, media outlets, CSOs and others work together to create better FoE legislation. Finally, citizens – as members of the general public – must also understand the importance of FoE and AtI to the democratic process. They must feel that they, too, can take action to ensure that those in power create a favorable environment for FoE.
Where
Tunisia
Results so far
As part of the project, SNJT has already launched its own fact-checking unit to tackle the growing problem of misinformation and fake news in Tunisia and ensure the normalization of fact-checking as a journalistic practice in the country. The unit publishes its work on Twitter and a multilingual Facebook page, “TuniFact – تونس تتحرى” .
To mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2022 SNJT launched a campaign raising the alarm about declining press freedom in Tunisia. The 2022 World Press Freedom Index shows that Tunisia ranks 94 out of 180 countries. Additional activities to support Tunisian journalists included training on laws that either protect or threaten FoE, data journalism, investigative journalism, information gathering, data processing and visualization techniques.
Period
2020 – 2023
Partner
National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT)
