Tunisia softens its ‘false news’ penalty. What really changed, and why now?

Tunisia has softened a cybercrime law that has landed journalists and activists in prison, letting first-time offenders pay fines instead of serving time. The amendment to Decree 54, which went into effect on Wednesday, sets fines of 10,000 to 20,000 Tunisian dinars ($3,370 to $6,740) for a first offence of spreading “false news” and related violations. The fines replace a five-year prison sentence. However, repeat offenders may still face jail. Rights and media freedom advocates in Tunisia and abroad have long opposed the decree as repressive, saying it has been wielded against President Kais Saied’s opposition, activists and reporters.