In 2010, a video of a Tunisia street protestor self-immolating went viral. Fuelled by the global attention, mass protests erupted, culminating in the country’s rapid transition from autocracy to electoral democracy. Freedom House said Tunisia boasted a “critical and vibrant” press.
Inspired by the movement, the rest of the MENA region was less fortunate. Saudi Arabia contained the Arab Spring, helping neighbouring nations to violently squash uprisings. By the end, much of the region was in worse shape than before the protests.