Tunisia replaces prison terms for false news with fines — Anadolu Agency

Tunisia has amended provisions of Decree No. 54 on cybercrime: prison terms for disseminating false information deemed harmful to public security or the rights of others have been replaced with financial fines. This was reported by Anadolu Agency, citing the amendment published in the country’s Official Gazette.

Amount of fines

Before the amendments, Decree No. 54 provided for up to five years in prison for such violations. The penalty is now between 10,000 and 20,000 Tunisian dinars, or approximately $3,300 to $6,600.

The same fines will apply for disseminating fabricated or falsified materials, personal data, or false claims with the aim of defamation, damaging reputation, causing material or moral harm, inciting attacks, or promoting hatred.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Repeat violations

A repeat violation may result in six months in prison and a fine of 50,000 Tunisian dinars — more than $16,000. If a public official or a person equated with one is the target of such actions, the punishment is doubled.

The amendment was introduced after a government meeting chaired by President Kais Saied, which considered changes to Decree No. 54 and other legislation. Human rights groups had criticized the decree over concerns about its impact on freedom of expression.