Status: Not Free
Legal Environment: 26
Political Influences: 25
Economic Pressures: 22
Total Score: 73

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 72
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Arab (98 percent), other (2 percent)
Capital: Tunis

Self-censorship is encouraged by state control of newsprint subsidies and public advertising. Dissent is also limited by the press code prohibiting subversion and defamation, which are broadly defined. Broadcasting is government-controlled and provides only official views. Foreign publications are censored. Authorities cracked down on the newspaper of the leading opposition party. Some journalists employ the Internet to express dissenting views. In December, the fixed and mobile telephone lines of opposition figures were cut to prevent them from telephoning to the outside world. A major international diplomatic journal was banned in October.

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