The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) decried the arrest of journalist of Zitouna TV channel Ameur Ayad last October 3.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the IFJ quotes its Secretary-General Anthony Bellanger as saying “we are very concerned about the way the police arrest journalists who criticise the government and demand the immediate release of Ameur Ayad.”

The IFJ recalls that the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) had expressed in a press release on October 6, its utter rejection of military trials against civilians for expressing their opinions, positions and publications, considering it a blow to freedom of expression and democracy.

According to the SNJT, ” professional mistakes and editorial issues are handled by the profession’s regulatory bodies and by Decree 115 on the freedom of the press, printing and publishing.”

Source: TAP News Agency