Home > News > Tunisia's High Court Throws Out Online Porn Ban • Bookmark   • Newsletters   • Register Search Options

NEWS STORY

Tunisia's High Court Throws Out Online Porn Ban

Tunisia's High Court Throws Out Online Porn Ban
Get XBIZ News
XBIZ Research
In your opinion, how big is the porn industry today?
More than $1 Billion Per Year
  21.91%
More than $5 Billion Per Year
  34.98%
More than $10 Billion Per Year
  29.68%
Less than $1 Billion
  13.43%
Out of 283 votes. Results based on votes submitted by members of XBIZ.net social network.
Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012    Text size: 

TUNIS, Tunisia —  In a surprise move, Tunisia's highest court has thrown out a complaint calling for a ban on porn websites in the country.

A judicial source said, "The court quashed the first instance and appeals ruling that ordered the censorship of pornographic websites," but the case will be appealed.

The case came before the court just last week after three lawyers claimed that porn is “against Muslim values” and dangerous for the young.

It’s not clear as why the ruling was handed down, but the decision was unexpected considering that online porn censorship has already been ordered twice before when the courts ordered the Tunisian Internet Agency (ATI) to block adult sites.

Critics of the ban have been concerned that if adopted, the measure would boomerang the country back to the pre-revolution censorship days under the ousted regime of Zine el Abidine Ben Ali.

"This is rather good news," said Reporters Without Boorders’ Olivia Gre.

Rights groups and the Tunisian Internet Agency (ATI) have also spoken out against the ban.

"It's a step backwards," said ATI's chief executive Moez ChakChouk. "Under Ben Ali, the ATI was an instrument of political control and censorship. Today we are fighting for the neutrality of the Internet, but they want to put the old cloak back on us."

ChakChouk also maintained that filtering would hurt the quality and speed of data transfers, and that the ATI does not have the funds to effectively censor online activity.

But one of the plaintiffs, lawyer Monaem Turki, who has been a vocal critic about how porn is damaging Tunisian society said, "I respect the court's decision but I think the judiciary has shirked the issue. We will use the same arguments to win this case in the appeals court.”

More ways to get XBIZ News:  RSS Feeds  |  E-Newsletters  |  Desktop Widget  |  Mobile
Looking for porn star news and behind-the-scene videos? Check out XFANZ.com !

LEGAL PERSPECTIVES

Mandatory Condom Law Spurs Potential Exodus

In late January, 2012, the city of Los Angeles passed a landmark law requiring all adult content producers to mandate the use of condoms by performers as a condition for obtaining a filming permit. This... More »

The Condoms Have Arrived (Sort Of)

As you may remember from my article last summer for XBIZ World, I declared that the condoms were coming. That declaration was in reference to the position that Cal/OSHA had taken at the June 7, 2011, meeting... More »

Challenging The Copyrightability Of Porn

Adult entertainment companies have become increasingly aggressive about defending their intellectual property rights, with high-profile cases being filed against illegal tube sites, file lockers, and torrenters.... More »
XBIZ NEWSLETTERS
Stay informed of the latest industry developments. Get XBIZ newsletters delivered to your inbox. Subscribe today!
Enter email address:

* To manage existing subscriptions click here.






POPULAR PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Submit your press release to
multiple news outlets with 1 click.
Subscribe to RSS news feeds or
add free content to your website.
Access XBIZ news and articles
with your mobile device.
Access the latest issues of the industry's leading trade publications in digital form. View online or download for offline viewing.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Eurowebtainment

May 23 - May 26
Majorca, Spain

Exxxotica Chicago

Jul 13 - Jul 15
Rosemont, IL

ANME Founders Show

Jul 14 - Jul 16
Burbank, California

Adultcon Los Angeles

Jul 27 - Jul 29
Los Angeles, CA
Everyday thousands of business professionals browse XBIZ's industry directory for quality products and services. Not listed yet? Your company could be losing potential new business. Submit your company today!
Use XBIZ RSS feeds to stay informed of the latest industry developments or as a content syndication tool for your website!