Tunisia reaffirmed, on Tuesday, its “total commitment to guarantee the right to freedom of opinion and expression in all spaces, and to move forward to guarantee a free and responsible press, given that it forms the basis of any democratic system.โ
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Tunisia calls on governments, organizations, civil society and media to adopt a participatory approach based on human rights to promote freedom of the press and guarantee the right of journalists to access information, while respecting the right to privacy and protecting the personal data of individuals, in accordance with the specificities and journalistic ethics based on the transmission of correct and reliable information.
Tunisia affirms that it will pursue its mission, through its leading role within the Human Rights Council (UN), by presenting the draft resolution on the safety of journalists, the draft resolution on the protection of freedom of expression on the Internet, the establishment of an appropriate legislative environment to strengthen press freedom, protect journalists and establish mechanisms guaranteeing the right of expression and supporting press freedom within a pluralist, free and responsible media scene.
The international community celebrates World Press Freedom Day every May 3. This year’s slogan is โJournalism in the digital ageโ.
According to the world ranking of press freedom published on Tuesday by Reporters Without Borders, Tunisia has lost 21 places, falling from 73rd to 94th place out of 180 countries.