President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) Mehdi Jelassi said “it is imperative to establish a partnership with the Ministry of Interior despite the many problems.”

Jelassi spoke at a press conference held Tuesday at the headquarters of the union, on the signing of a partnership agreement between the SNJT and the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF).

The president of the union talked about the relationship between the security apparatus and journalists, saying it varies” between an escalation of attacks and restrictions of freedom during the performance of journalistic work, and interventions to protect journalists and ensure their safety.”

In this context, he recalled the recent attack on journalists of the national television by anti-Saied demonstrators in Tunis.

Jelassi stressed the need to “put an end to impunity and lack of accountability and administrative proceedings against the security forces.

He noted, however, a recent decline in attacks on journalists, which he said has paved the way for a constructive partnership with the Ministry of Interior.

He added: “This is a long-term partnership agreement because of the importance of the role of the media in the governance of the security sector.

For her part, Khaoula Chabah, coordinator of the unit of monitoring attacks on journalists at the SNJT occupational safety centre highlighted the importance of effective partnership agreements between the two parties on attacks on journalists, implemented since October to strengthen the safety of journalists and facilitate access to information.

The coordinator reported 27 assaults related to access to information, work obstruction and wrongful detention between July 25 and last September and more than 70 assaults throughout the year.

“No assault was recorded in October and this, in implementation of the provisions of the partnership launched in September between the two parties,” she said, noting “a real willingness to reduce ggression from security forces.

Ahed Jemaoui, director of the project “Supporting the role of the media in the reform of the security sector” said the launch of the partnership project between the SNJT and the DCAF aims to build trust between journalists and the security system.

Source: Tap News Agency