Abstract
Most Tunisians like to claim that they live in the most politically mature state in North Africa. It is, after all, a country noted for its moderate and modernising policies in foreign and domestic affairs, and has enjoyed a continuity of leadership under President Bourguiba ever since the colonial period ended in 1956. The Tunisian press has benefited from a tradition of tolerance and can voice various political currents. There are, of course, limits to what is discussed. To a third world country such as Tunisia, with manifold developmental problems to face, national unity, the government feels, must come first. It follows that unity must never be threatened by excessive freedom of expression and journalists and writers must be aware of this necessary limitation and respect it for the national good. Until recently there has been only one authorised political party, the Destourian Socialist Party (DSP), successor to the nationalist movement of the colonial era, the neo-Destour. The DSP has prided itself on being a focus of political discussion and consensus, thus obviating the need for political plurality while tolerating a variety of views. But last November Tunisia held elections in which, for the first time, political pluralism was permitted and several different political groupings put up candidates.