At the call of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), the demonstrators marched in the center of Tunis, chanting slogans against the authorities' attempts, according to them, to "domesticate" the media and transform them into propaganda tools, according to an AFP journalist on the spot.
"Freedom! Independence!", "No to repression, no to locking", "the press is free and will never be subjugated", in particular hammered the demonstrators, framed by a police force.
Shortly before the demonstration, the SNJT presented its annual report during a press conference pointing out "serious threats" to press freedom, particularly since July 25.
After months of political deadlock, Mr. Saied, elected at the end of 2019, assumed full powers at the end of July by dismissing the Prime Minister and suspending Parliament, before dissolving it in March.
"Since July 25, the Tunisian president has continued his policy of virtual communication without organizing any press conference," noted the authors of the report.
The SNJT report notes a "significant setback" in respect for freedoms due to political tensions and the fragility of the economic situation.
Mr. Saied's critics accuse him of establishing a new autocracy in the country, the only survivor of the Arab Spring of which it was the cradle in 2011.
Tunisia fell 21 places in the international press freedom index published on Tuesday by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), dropping from 73rd to 94th position.
© 2022 AFP