JOHANNESBURG: April 27, 2026 – The African Editors’ Forum (TAEF) expresses its deep concern and unwavering solidarity following the arrest and detention of veteran journalist Zied El Heni by the Tunisian authorities. According to reports, the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of First Instance in Tunis authorised the Cybercrime Brigade in El Aouina to place Mr. El Heni in custody on Friday, April 24. This action follows a summons he received regarding a post shared on his official Facebook account. Zied has a long-standing reputation for his commitment to public discourse and media freedom. His detention for merely expressing his opinion on social media is a troubling escalation in the use of cybercrime legislation to silence journalistic voices.
TAEF wishes to highlight the following:
● Freedom of Expression: Expressing an opinion on social platforms is a fundamental right, not a criminal act.
● Misuse of legislation: The deployment of the Fifth Central Brigade for Combating Information and Communication Technology Crimes against a journalist for a social media post sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom in the country and the region.
● A call for unity: TAEF calls upon all members of the African media landscape and international human rights organisations to stand in defense of Zied El Heni.
● Release Zied immediately: TAEF urges the Tunisian authorities to respect the principles of free speech and the protections afforded to journalists. They must release Zied immediately. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for the protection of our colleagues across the continent. (ends)
CHURCHILL OTIENO PRESIDENT
About TAEF: The African Editors’ Forum is the premier organisation for editors and media executives across Africa, dedicated to defending media freedom, promoting ethics, and protecting the rights of journalists to operate without intimidation.
