The Tunisian Journalists Syndicate accused the election authority of direct interference in the media, and demanded that the state television institution be removed from participating in the campaigns of candidates for the second round of the legislative elections scheduled for January 29.
The Syndicate stated in a statement that the Higher Independent Authority for Elections is trying to seize state television and direct the media coverage of the legislative elections in its second session by securing television debates between the candidates, and subjecting the quality of questions and topics to its direct supervision.
The syndicate considered that subjecting the Tunisian public television institution to the dictates of the Independent Higher Authority for Elections is a "flagrant violation" of the independence of public media, and a violation of all constitutional and legal rules, which stipulate independence and the prohibition of prior censorship of the work of media institutions.
The syndicate warned of what it described as the dangerous and unilateral interference of the authority in the media content of the state television institution.
The Syndicate called on all journalists in the organization to reject any interference in the editorial line, to defend their independence and that of their organization from any party, and to report any pressure exerted on them.
It is noteworthy that the official spokesman for the Commission, Muhammad Al-Talili Al-Mansari, confirmed the day before yesterday, Sunday, that the second round of the legislative elections will witness the organization of a televised debate between the candidates, and it will be broadcast on official television, and that the Commission will ensure that the topics and questions are under its supervision, indicating that the debate is still a matter of discussion between the two parties. body and television.
Elimination threats
On another issue, the Dignity Coalition Party, which is one of the components of the opposition Salvation Front, warned of the frequency of serious threats to the lives of party leaders, and what it considered the public and explicit calls for a number of supporters of President Qais Saeed to kill the head of the Dignity Coalition bloc in the former parliament, Saif al-Din Makhlouf.
In a statement, the party condemned what it described as rhetoric of violence and physical liquidation, which has become very frequent with the deepening of the crisis in the country.
The Dignity Coalition explained that the violent discourse came after months of campaigns of treason and repeated accusations of the opposition of conspiracy, collusion and corruption, and in direct response to explicit calls for the liquidation of political opponents.
The Dignity Coalition held the full political and criminal responsibility of President Qais Saeed and Interior Minister Tawfiq Sharaf al-Din for any harm that might befall the head of the parliamentary bloc of the Dignity Coalition or any member of the political bureau or his deputies as a result of the daily incitement.
The party affirmed that it will not hesitate to track down anyone who promotes this incitement, and anyone who promotes the rhetoric of killing, liquidation and terrorism in the political space and on virtual communication sites.