The Press Council and the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) have published, Friday, an “ethical and editorial charter dedicated to the media coverage of the referendum process.

The objective is to ensure the right to information on political life and allow Tunisians to best identify the issues of the referendum scheduled for July 25, 2022.

“The initiative to publish this charter is in line with the threats to which the legitimacy of the press is exposed before and after the exceptional measures as an institution providing information, reliable, credible and objective, “said Sadok Hammami, academic and member of the press council.

The statements made by some members of the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) are “confusing and worrying”, since they aim to curb the roles of the press, he cautioned, adding that “the journalistic profession must ensure respect for diversity within society.

“The ethical and editorial charter is consistent with international norms and standards governing the sector and meets the democratic mission of the press, just as it gives the citizen the right to access information to be able to express themselves, with full knowledge of the facts, on the day of the referendum, away from any form of influence or pressure,” he said.

For his part, SNJT President Yassine Jelassi, said that this charter, developed at the initiative of the two committees of professional ethics, under the union and the Press Council, aims to fight against “statements made by members of the ISIE on the fact of excluding certain voices to express themselves in the media in relation to their positions on the referendum.

Diversity cannot be overlooked, he said. “It is a matter of principle for the profession of journalism.

The charter is the pure product of a reflection and exchange of ideas initiated between members of the executive board of the SNJT and the press council during a workshop held on June 17.

Source: TAP News Agency