Tunisia replaces prison terms with fines for ‘false news’ offences

Tunisia has replaced prison sentences with financial penalties for spreading “false news” under its cybercrime law, according to an amendment published on Wednesday in the country’s Official Gazette.

Before the amendment, Decree 54 allowed prison terms of up to five years for disseminating false information considered harmful to public security or the rights of others.

Fines introduced under amended law

Under the revised provision, such offences are punishable by fines ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 Tunisian dinars, equivalent to about $3,300 to $6,600.

The same penalties apply to the distribution of fabricated or falsified material, personal data or false allegations intended to defame others, damage their reputation, cause material or moral harm, incite attacks or promote hate speech.

Stricter penalties for repeat offences

Repeat offences may still result in a six-month prison sentence and a fine of 50,000 dinars, or more than $16,000. The penalties are doubled when the targeted person is a public official or someone holding an equivalent position.

The amendment followed a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Kais Saied on Tuesday to consider changes to Decree 54 and other legislation.

Rights groups have criticised Decree 54, raising concerns about its potential impact on freedom of expression.