Tunisia softens its ‘false news’ penalty. What really changed, and why now?

Tunisia has amended its cybercrime law, allowing first-time offenders to pay fines of 10,000 to 20,000 Tunisian dinars instead of serving prison time for spreading false news. The amended decree, which took effect on Wednesday, replaces a five-year prison sentence, although repeat offenders may still face jail. Rights and media freedom advocates criticize the law as repressive, while the government states it is necessary to protect public order from online disinformation.