TUNIS, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia has amended Article 24 of Decree-Law No. 54 of 2022 on combating offenses related to information and communication systems and networks, replacing prison sentences for certain offenses involving false information with financial penalties for first-time offenses, according to the Tunisian official gazette, Journal of the Republic of Tunisia, published Wednesday.
Under the amendment, the previous penalty of five years in prison and a fine of 50,000 Tunisian dinars (about 16,786 U.S. dollars) has been replaced by a fine of 10,000 to 20,000 dinars.
The provision applies to anyone who deliberately uses information and communication systems or networks to produce, promote, publish, transmit, or prepare false news, data or rumors, or fabricated, forged or falsely attributed documents, with the aim of violating the rights of others, harming public security or national defense, or spreading terror among the population.
The same fine applies to the deliberate use of information systems to disseminate false information or fabricated or forged documents, or data containing personal information or falsely attributing acts to others, with the intent to defame, damage reputation, cause material or moral harm, incite attacks, or promote hate speech.
For repeat offenses, the amended provision stipulates six months in prison and a fine of 50,000 dinars. Penalties are doubled when the target is a public official.
The amendment was reviewed Tuesday at a Council of Ministers meeting chaired by Tunisian President Kais Saied at the Carthage Palace. ■
