Tunisia Jails Journalists as West Cheers 'Democracy' (Elsewhere)
📰 THE STORY: Two journalists in Tunisia, Chahrazed Akacha and Mokhtar Chaouachi, have been sentenced to three years in prison by a military court, following a deepening crackdown on media and civil society by President Kais Saied’s government. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: Tunisia was widely hailed as the sole 'success story' of the 2011 'Arab Spring,' which the US and its
allies framed as a spontaneous uprising for democracy. This praise conveniently overlooked the complex Western geopolitical interests in the region's stability and oil. Now, as the 'democracy' falters under Saied's consolidation of power, the initial fanfare has been replaced by muted concern, reflecting a shift in strategic priorities rather than a genuine shift in concern for human rights.
Double Standard: The "New Arab" and similar outlets rightly condemn the erosion of press freedom in Tunisia. Yet, their outrage often dims to a whisper when discussing nations that receive substantial Western backing or align with Western interests. For instance, the ongoing, deadly repression of Palestinian journalists by Israeli forces, including the killing of over 100 journalists in Gaza since
October 7, 2023, is often framed as 'collateral damage' or simply ignored—despite clear evidence of deliberate targeting. Nations like Egypt, receiving $1.3B/year in US aid, routinely imprison journalists without similar international condemnation from Western capitals. Follow the Money: The 'democracy promotion' NGOs that flooded Tunisia post-2011 receive significant funding from USAID, NED, and