Tunisian Media Sector in Crisis: Journalists' Professional Cards Remain Unissued
Two years after the start of the blockade, the Tunisian Federation of Newspaper Directors (FTDJ) is sounding the alarm once again. The Tunisian media sector is facing a persistent administrative crisis.
Issue with Journalists' Professional Cards
The professional cards of journalists have not been issued, which consequently hinders their activity and fundamental right to inform. The federation explains that the major problem lies in the absence of publication of the government decree aimed at filling vacant positions within the independent commission responsible for issuing the national professional journalist card. Without this official text, the commission is unable to function normally, and files accumulated for over a year remain pending.
Consequences of Delay
As a result, the professional cards issued in 2024 are now expired, according to the provisions of Decree No. 229 of 2021. The exceptional extension of their validity is not possible, effectively depriving journalists of their rights and limiting their access to public places, official events, and necessary infrastructure for the exercise of their profession.
Impact on Sports Journalists
The problem also affects sports journalists and photographers. Without professional cards for 2026, they risk being excluded from stadiums and sports halls, threatening the coverage of national and international sports events. The federation denounces the delay of media institutions in transmitting renewal files or new applications, which should normally reach the commission before October of each year to allow for effective processing before the start of the new year.
Call to Action
In the face of this situation, the federation calls on the competent authorities to publish the missing decree without delay and ensure the effective functioning of the commission. According to them, resolving this crisis is essential to protect press freedom and guarantee journalists the means to fulfill their mission to serve the public.
