The Syndicate of Journalists in Tunisia: Parties are banned from entering state television by a political decision

Yesterday, Tuesday, the Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists said that there is a political decision to prevent all parties from entering state television and participating in its programmes, which represents a major setback for press freedom in the country.

In an interview with Reuters, Mahdi Al-Jelassi indicated that this is happening for the first time since the 2011 revolution that ended the rule of Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, considering it "a very dangerous and unprecedented matter that seriously threatens freedom of the press and perpetuates individualism in power." ".

For her part, the Director General of Public Television, Awatef Al-Saqrouni, pointed out that "there is no decision or instruction from any party to prevent hosting political parties."

And she continued, "On the contrary, the main news bulletin and the main political program at prime time covers all the activities of the parties without exception, including the Free Destourian Party and Ennahda, for example."

It is noteworthy that during a press conference with the Algerian president last month, the presidency invited only official media, while private and foreign media were not invited to that press conference.

While the main news bulletin on public television sometimes broadcasts protests or important activities of the opposition, its talk shows did not record the presence of political guests during the past months.

The official news agency broadcasts news and coverage of protests against the government or President Said and makes room for opponents.

On Monday, the Ennahda party had called on its supporters to participate in demonstrations scheduled for January 14 to protest against decisions by President Kais Saied granting him almost absolute powers.

Other groups have also called for a boycott of the president's online advice on a number of policy reforms.

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