In December 2014, ARTICLE 19 examined the Draft Decree on fixing a framework for establishing and funding a press council for Tunisia (Draft Decree) for its compliance with international freedom of expression standards.
In ARTICLE 19’s opinion, the Draft Decree presents a sound basis for a model of self-regulation underpinned by law (in this case a Presidential Decree) or a model co-regulation of the press. At the same time, the Draft Decree shows a number of flaws in terms of the style of its drafting and substantive content. Most notably the Preamble to the Draft Decree fails to situate the instrument in the context of Tunisia’s international human rights obligations and relevant constitutional provisions, which should frame and inform the interpretation of the Draft Decree.