Promoting a free and modern press in Tunisia There are today in Tunisia more than one thousand professional journalists as compared to 639 in 1990. The number of national publications and periodicals has also increased from 91 in 1987 to 210 at present. Public authorities have taken a number of initiatives to provide better conditions for reporters to exercise their profession. Such initiatives include legal reform, assistance to publishers, and facilitation of reporters' access to sources of information. Legislative initiatives to provide a favorable legal framework: Freedom of opinion and expression is guaranteed by the Tunisian Constitution (article 8). Since November 7, 1987, legal initiatives were undertaken to further promote pluralism in the media and public life and protect journalists' free exercise of their profession. After two previous amendments (in 1988 and 1993), the Tunisian Chamber of Deputies adopted a bill on April 30, 2001, amending the country's Press Code, a third time. The newly adopted amedments include: The removal from the books of the charge of "defaming public order", a relatively vague accusation that lends itself to various interpretations. Requiring newspaper publishers to increase the minimum number of media professionals and journalism graduates they must hire. That number will have to be no less than 50% of that of the reporters they employ. Scrapping prison sentences from the books and replacing them by fines. Reducing the maximum period of suspension of any publication by a court of law is from six to three months. Role of the executive branch in promoting freedom of the press In a speech delivered on November 7th, 1997, President Ben Ali announced the elimination of the State Secretariat for Information (October 9, 1997), called on the publishers and news managers to be more daring and enterprising, and to make sure that "issues are addressed impartially, boldly and responsibly. People working in this sector no longer have any excuse to evade their responsibilities or resort to the easy way out by practicing self-censorship." He reiterated the same message on the occasion of the International Day for the freedom of the press (May 3, 2000), in a meeting with the presidents of the Association of Tunisian Journalists and the Tunisian Association of Newspaper Publishers, and the editors and publishers of a number of private sector dailies and weeklies. As a result of this meeting, national committees were formed to discuss the concerns of media professionals and possible changes into the Press Code. On November 7, 2000, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali announced a series of decisions. Beside amendments to the Press Code (already made into law), other decisions include: Giving journalists special discounts on connection to the Internet. Inviting Tunisian journalists to discuss the parameters of professional ethics within a code of honor which would protect the practice of journalism from any abuses and would enhance the credibilityof the mass media. Setting up a joint committee between the Association of Newspaper Publishers. Its task would be to look into professional ethics and into any disputes that might arise among newspaper management and journalists. Raising the training standards, and promoting higher levels of professionalism by improving educational and re-training programs at the University. Promoting regional information through establishment of information and documentation offices in various parts of the country. The information sector assumed a vital role in sustaining the national struggle for independence, and later in building the modern state and establishing the republican system. Over the past couple of decades, the sector has accompanied the implementation of the civilizational project brought by the Change of November 7, 1987, which rests on anchoring the tradition of dialogue, promoting democracy and pluralism, and enhancing solidarity among all social categories. Since the Change, successive reforms have been introduced into the information sector, with the aim of promoting the media discourse and enriching its content, anchoring freedom of opinion and expression, and enhancing the performance of the information sector, so that it serves as an efficient tool to raise awareness of national realities and to express the citizens' concerns and aspirations. In line with this approach, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali insisted, in his Program "for Tomorrow's Tunisia", on promoting media pluralism, by supporting the newspapers of political parties, enlarging forums of dialogue, and promoting private initiative in the information sector. Tunisian professional journalists There are today 1062 professional journalists in Tunisia (compared to 639 in 1990). About 35% of these journalists are women. 53% are university graduates, and about half are under 40. Journalists and newspaper directors have their own elected professional unions and organizations. Legal and constitutional framework Freedom of the press in Tunisia is guaranteed in law and in practice. Since November 7, 1987, President Ben Ali has taken measures to promote media pluralism and to safeguard the rights of journalists. Accordingly, the Press Code was amended in 1988, 1993, 2001 and 2006. The latest amendments abolished prison sentences, the notion of "defamation of the public order", as well as the procedure of "dépôt légal" (legal submission of copies of published material). No newspaper may be suspended without a court decision. Since November 7, 1987, no newspaper or magazine was suspended, and no journalist was detained for media-related activities. The Tunisian Constitution requires that political parties reject all forms of fanaticism, racism, and discrimination (article 8). Besides, Tunisian legislation prohibits hate speech and all forms of incitement to fanaticism and terrorism. Support to the press President Ben Ali has continuously encouraged journalists to be more daring and more enterprising, and to address all issues impartially, boldly and responsibly. All newspapers, including those published by the Opposition, are offered material support by the State. Moreover, Opposition newspapers benefit from incentives allowing them to get back 60% of the costs of newspaper production. The national press benefits from numerous indirect forms of support, including exemptions from customs duties for all printing materials. The State also bears a large part of the cost of international newspaper distribution. On average, the assistance granted by the State to the Opposition covers the production and printing costs of a weekly publication with a circulation of 15,000 copies. Print media Some 265 Tunisian newspapers and magazines (compared to 91 in 1987) are published today in Tunisia. The majority of these publications are privately-owned and editorially-independent. Opposition parties publish their own newspapers in which they freely express their opinions. Many organizations and professional unions also have their own publications. Private radio and TV broadcasting The first private radio station in Tunisia "Mosaique FM" started broadcasting on November 7, 2003, and the first private satellite TV channel "Hannibal TV" was launched on February 13, 2005. A second private radio station "Jawhara FM" started broadcasting on July 25, 2005. A third private radio station "Ezzeitouna Radio for the Holy Koran" was launched in September 2007. The launch of private radio and TV stations materializes President Ben Ali's decision "to open up the audiovisual landscape to the private sector". Evolution of public radio and TV broadcasting A "Cultural Radio" started operating on May 29, 2006; and the second satellite TV channel "Tunisie 21" was launched on November 7, 2007, catering to young audiences. Foreign media in Tunisia Hundreds of foreign reporters visit Tunisia each year, while about 100 foreign correspondents are permanently based in Tunis. All correspondents and special envoys are offered adequate conditions for the free exercise of their profession. Nearly 1100 foreign publications and newspapers are currently distributed in Tunisia (compared to 450 in 1987). All Tunisian households have access to radio and television and most of them are equipped with satellite dishes. Tunisian Media and the Internet Professional journalists enjoy preferential Internet connection rates. Most of the newspapers and magazines have their own websites. Tunisian radio and television are broadcast online.