The International Federation of Journalists(IFJ) has expressed its support for a report published by the Syndicat National des Journalistes Tunisiens (SNJT), an IFJ affiliate, to mark World Press Freedom Day which highlights poor working conditions of Tunisian journalists.

"This report portrays a worrying situation which needs urgent attention," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "We applaud the efforts of our colleagues to improve the conditions of journalists and will resist any attempt to deny their right to speak out."

The report released by the SNJT criticised in particular the lack of Government action on a pledge to regularise the situation of hundreds of journalists at the National Television and Radio, including reviewing their contracts, wages and social security cover following negotiations which ended a strike in January 2009.

The report has since been attacked for not taking into consideration other wider aspects of press freedom in the country. However, the IFJ says that the focus on the conditions in which journalists work highlights a key area of concern for press freedom that is often neglected.

The IFJ backs the report's findings and calls on all members of SNJT and other Tunisian journalists to unite and defend their common interests.

"Press freedom remains under threat in Tunisia," added White. "We will continue to press the Tunisian government to honour its obligations and on the authorities to create decent conditions for journalism."

For more information contact the IFJ at   +32 2 235 2207       

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide