Reporters Without Borders Concerned About Tunisian Press Freedom

Reporters Without Borders sent a letter to the top leaders of Tunisia’s newly elected government to express concern regarding recent violence against journalists and other developments that may conflict with the principles of free expression. Reporters Without Borders is still concerned about the evolution of the media freedom, expressing regret that there was no creation a High Independent Authority for Broadcasting Communication. The letter pointed out an increasing pressure on journalists in the last month -police violence against journalist on the 3rd of January- and expressed concerns “about the danger posed to media freedom in Tunisia by the increase in religious extremism.” The letter also asked the government to “send a strong signal to all those who flout freedom of expression and the freedom of journalists to be able to report the news in a completely independent manner.”

Meanwhile, three major secular opposition parties, Afek Tounes, the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), and the Republican Party (RP), announced their decision to merge at a press conference. The new party created by this union will affirm its legal status during the first congress in mid-march. According to Slim Azzebi from the Republican Party, this new union should be “strong enough to win the upcoming electoral battle.” Additionally, January 14th will mark the first anniversary of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali‘s resignation after 23 years in power. Since the first act of self immolation that sparked the revolts at least 107 Tunisian tried to kill themselves in a similar way. The justification for these acts is usually the unemployment resulting from a stagnant economy and general disenchantment.