The successor acting government removed filters on social networking sites , such as YouTube and Facebook. The success of the Tunisian Revolution led to increased freedom of expression in Tunisia , a country previously subject to strict censorship, especially online.
In March , Reporters Without Borders removed Tunisia and Egypt from its "Internet enemies" list to its list of countries "under surveillance". The national unity government immediately proclaimed complete freedom of information and expression as a fundamental principle.
On January 17th , Internet censorship was immediately lifted, as President Ben Ali promised in his January 13th address. Some online controls remained in early February. In May, the Permanent Military Tribunal of Tunis ordered four Facebook pages blocked for attempting "to damage the reputation of the military institution and its leaders".
The Tribunal charged that publishing of video clips, the circulation of comments, and articles attempted to destabilize the trust of citizens in the national army, and to spread disorder and chaos in the country. Resurgence of Internet censorship lead to the resignation of blogger and political activist Slim Amamou from his post as Secretary of State for Youth and Sport on May 23rd. On May 26th, a court order forced the Tunisian Internet Agency ATI to block porn sites on the grounds that they pose a threat to minors and Muslim values.
The ATI filed in opposition to block the order. ATI's application was rejected on June 13th. The ATI began compliance in stages on June 15th. On August 15th, a Tunisian appeals court upheld the previous decisions requiring the ATI to block access to pornographic websites.
