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When veteran journalist Elyes Gharbi Announce On June 28, he announced his departure from the “Midi Show” on Tunisia’s main radio station, Mosaïque FM, which he had hosted for nine years, but he did not explain why. However, Gharbi made this decision just a few months ago. admit The country’s journalism faces ‘incredible threats’, police say Under investigation His comments on the show.
Tunisia is preparing for its first Presidential Election Since President Kais Said 2021 Power grabAuthorities are suppressing dissent, especially in the media. Human Rights Watch Establishment At least five members of the media are currently in prison for their work or views. tunisian national union of journalists (National Society of Tunisian Journalists, SNJT) Data show that since May 2023, there have been at least 39 cases against journalists for their work, including Decree No. 2022-54 on the fight against cybercrime and the Anti-Terrorism Act 2015.
In May and July 2024, famous journalists Borhen Bsaies and Mourad Zeghidiand lawyers and commentators Sonya Dahmaniwas sentenced to one year in prison under the cybercrime law. At the end of July, the Tunisian Court of Appeal reduce Bsaies and Zeghidi were sentenced to eight months in prison. Noureddine ButtarThe director of Mossajk FM was detained for three months and charged with “money laundering,” “conspiracy” and “terrorism,” including alleged incitement against President Said. question Executives from other private broadcasters and Independent outlet Nawaat.
This repression is gradually erasing criticism and diversity of opinion in Tunisia’s media landscape. Political debate has almost disappeared from the airwaves. Evelyn and Carthage+ The TV station has suspended its most popular programmes involving the jailed Dahmani, Bsaies and Zeghidi, as well as IFM’s “90 Minutes”, The owner is Khouloud Mabrouk, question In April this year, police launched an investigation into her over her journalism. Mabrook said the show ended early partly due to “stress”.
Public media journalists have been Opposition to censorship and uphold the public service mission that President Said has established since he took office Clear leadership in 2021. His government appointed new leadership, including Tunisian African Press Agency (TAP)Tunisia’s national news agency, which sometimes reverts to old authoritarian habits. For example, According to SNJTOn July 4, TAP CEO Najeh Missaoui ordered a widely circulated press release regarding a new Presidential Candidates is deleted.
President Saied owes much to Tunisia’s free press: he himself was a participant in First televised presidential debate 2019. Now his responsibility is to ensure media freedom and the free flow of information ahead of the October 6 elections.
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