The executive bureau of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) said Saturday it had initiated complaint proceedings against the governor of Ben Arous “and all those who target journalists and impede access to information.”
The SNJT decried “attempts to subjugate media, on the one hand, and demonise those who resist, on the other.”
The union held the Presidency of the Republic and the Prime Ministry “responsible for the safety of journalists who are victims of intimidation and accusations of treason by State officials,” reads a statement.
It called on the Prime Ministry, in this vein, to “shoulder its responsibility in respecting the nature of journalistic work, not interfering in the work of journalists and guaranteeing their right to access information likely to enlighten public opinion.”
It also urged the government to take appropriate disciplinary measures “if these practices do not reflect a State policy against journalists.”
The SNJT warned against “the dangerous rise in the speech of intimidation and incitement against journalists by State officials.”
“Governor of Ben Arous Ezzeddine Chebli verbally assaulted Shems FM journalist Khaoula Selliti because of her questions in relation to the criticism levelled against his recent remarks about the online consultation,” the union said.
He “refused to answer her questions, accusing her and other media of seeking to divide Tunisians and hinder State functioning.” ” He went one step farther by determining the kind of questions to be asked,” the SNJT added.
Source: Tap News Agency