The Commission on Rights and Freedoms at the Assembly of the People’s Representatives will meet this Thursday, April 23, 2026 to examine the relationship between parliamentary discourse and the media landscape in Tunisia. This session takes place in a context marked by the rise of controversies surrounding several statements and positions that have sparked broad reactions in the public sphere.
A first session to pave the way for the debate
In a statement given to Tunisie Numérique, the rapporteur of the Commission on Rights and Freedoms, Deputy Hela Jaballah, indicated that this meeting will, in the first instance, be limited to the members of the commission and to certain deputies.
She noted that this issue falls directly within the prerogatives of the commission, due to its close link with the issues of rights, freedoms and information. According to her, this initial step aims to open an internal debate among parliamentarians on the nature of parliamentary discourse and on its impact on the media landscape, in order to reach a clear and comprehensive view of the matter.
Recent statements that led to the meeting
Hela Jaballah stressed that several controversial statements issued over the past week are among the main reasons that led to the holding of this session.
She referred to what she regards as drifts in the discourse, both within the Assembly and in the media and on social networks. In this context, the commission intends to develop a work program based on a clear and rigorous approach, in order to address these questions while preserving the integrity of parliamentary discourse and the quality of its interaction with the media.
Towards expanding dialogue with the media sector
The deputy also explained that this meeting constitutes a first step in examining this issue. She did not rule out broadening discussions in upcoming sessions, with the possible participation of representatives from the media sector.
The objective, according to her, is to deepen the dialogue, to confront viewpoints and to foster a more inclusive reflection likely to lead to consensual solutions.
A series of meetings planned
Hela Jaballah finally stated that this session will not be the last. Further meetings should be organized to reach concrete orientations that will improve both the parliamentary discourse and its interaction with the media landscape in Tunisia.
This approach is part of a will to better regulate public speech at a moment when political and media statements occupy a central place in the national debate.
