Freedom of expression organisations are calling on the Tunisian authorities to halt their harassment of Lotfi Hajji, President of the small independent Tunisian Journalists' Syndicate (SJT). He was summonsed again to appear before police on 9 May 2005, once more without a given reason. In the few days before and after this month's World Press Freedom Day Hajji was summonsed by police, detained, had his books confiscated at Tunis airport, and was threatened with prosecution after the authorities found out that he planned to publish the syndicate's own report on Tunisian media repression.

The Committee to Protect Journalists says it is deeply concerned about the health of imprisoned Tunisian journalist Hamadi Jebali. Jebali has been on a hunger strike since April 9 to protest his treatment in Sfax prison, about 142 miles (230 km) from Tunis. According to his lawyer Noureddine B'hiri, Jebali's health is deteriorating quickly. He is very faint and weak, B'hiri said, adding that Jebali's wife, Wahida Trabelsi, is demanding that an outside doctor be allowed to examine Jebali's condition.

The World Summit on the Information Society that Tunisia will host in November 2005 will feature a number of side events in addition to the official summit program, due to take place from November 16-18 at the El Kram exhibition hall, near Tunis. Side events will include debates, workshops and exhibitions, from November 14 -19 at Le Kram exhibition hall. The deadline for the submission of applications for the organization of side events is April 30, 2005. Applications are available online at www.wsistunis2005.tn

On 31 March 2005, the worrying state of freedom of expression in Tunisia was highlighted at a panel discussion organized by the International Publishers' Association (IPA) and International PEN in Geneva during the annual session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Panelists included Tunisian writers, journalists, publishers, activists, a former judge at the French Cour de Cassation and representatives of international organizations, including the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters and the World Association of Newspapers.