In January 2011, the people of Tunisia were the first in a number of countries in the Arab region to push through a regime change where former president Ben Ali was forced to step down. In its wake followed a newfound freedom of expression and a widened space for media outlets to work independently.
Following this development an increase of media outlets is expected. To further this progress, International Media Support (IMS) and World Association of Community Broadcasters (AMARC) worked together to support and train new, independent and community media initiatives.
Shortly after the Tunisian revolution, IMS and AMARC initiated a process of obtaining an overview of the radio sector in the country; status of existing stations and a mapping of new initiatives.