Tunisia: Public media outlets to stage general strike on April 2 – Journalists’ Union

The National Union of Tunisian Journalists announced a one-day general strike in public media institutions on April 2, reported TAP news Agency.

The striking media include public service television broadcaster, the Tunisian Radio station, Tunis-Afrique-Press (TAP), and the New Printing, Press and Publishing Company SNIPE-La Presse.

“The Prime Ministry has shirked its responsibilities as far as the sector is concerned and has sought, intentionally, to compromise the diversity of media content,” Yassine Jlassi, President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists, said at a news conference.

Reasons behind the strike include prolonged vacancy at the helm of these institutions, delay in payment of salaries and lack of structural reforms, he argued. He also referred to repeated violations of union rights at the Tunisian Television corporation where journalists are summoned before the disciplinary board for claiming their rights.

Regarding the case of the correspondent of Mosaïque FM Khelifa Guesmi, the president of the SNJT stressed that his arrest is contrary to the provisions of Decree-Laws 115 and 116. The appearance of three journalists on the basis of the anti-terrorism law is a clear violation of freedom of expression, he noted.

He brough up the case of the correspondent of Mosaïque FM Khelifa Guesmi, saying his arrest is contrary to the provisions of Decree-Laws 115 and 116. He added that the appearance of three journalists on the basis of the anti-terrorism law is a clear violation of freedom of expression.

He voiced concern over Tunisia’s potential ranking drop in the press freedom report that will be published on May 3.

“The SNJT is determined to multiply actions to defend freedom of expression and impose the necessary reforms within media institutions,” he added, according to TAP.