Freedom of the press is guaranteed by the Tunisian constitution. Most of the opposition parties publish their own newspapers wherein they express their views, without any constraints.

There are more than 250 newspapers and magazines. They are mostly in Arabic or French. There are English and Italian language publications also. Most print media are privately owned and independently determine their editorial line. This can be felt in the critical and sometimes virulent tone of numerous press organs, particularly those in Arabic. Of all the dailies and weeklies, no more than four titles belong to the public sector or to the ruling party.

A decision to introduce private ownership of the audio-visual sector was announced in November 2003. An FM private station started broadcasting already. Other private stations are expected. Public TV and radio stations offer large time spaces for debates and for live broadcasting of parliamentary debates between deputies and government representatives.

The development and modernization of the media are strongly supported by public authorities which grant assistance to the press. Opposition newspapers benefit from public grants directly provided to their respective parties and from a mechanism allowing them to get back 60% of the expenses incurred for the purchase of paper. Moreover, the press benefits from numerous indirect forms of assistance, such as exemption from customs duties for all printing materials. The state also bears a considerable part of the costs of press distribution service to foreign countries. Besides, journalists enjoy free access to Internet.

Most of the major international newspapers and magazines are distributed in Tunisia where more than 700 Arab and western publications are sold. There are more than 70 permanently-based correspondents of the international press in Tunisia . Hundreds of foreign journalists visit Tunisia each year.

More than a quarter of the Tunisian families have satellite dishes and receive European, American and Arab TV broadcasts.