FAJ Backs Journalists’ Demand for Editorial Freedom in Tunisia

The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) joins  the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in expressing solidarity to the journalists and other workers of Dar Assabah, the Tunisian media group,  who went on strike demanding editorial freedom at its three publications, namely the Arabic daily Assabah, the French daily Le Temps and the Arabic weekly Al-Assabah Ousbouî.


According to the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT in french), a FAJ affiliate, journalists and staff of the media house are demanding the departure of Lotfi Touati, recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of Dar Assabah.

Mr. Touati, who served as a police commissioner and chief editor of the French daily Le Qotidien, was a strong supporter of the policy of former President Ben Ali. His appointment was seen as an attempt by the new government to maintain control over Dar Assabah which was known for its independence under the leadership of its founder Habib Cheokhrouhou.

 The media house was subsequently taken over by Ben Ali’s family after its acquisition by Sakhr Al-Materi, son-in-law of the former President.
 
Media workers of Dar Assabah also ask that arrears to the media house be converted into shares of  its capital and that they have the priority to purchase the shares held by the state, following seizure of assets belonging to Ben Ali’s family.
 
“The reputation of a media organization is based on its editorial integrity and independence. We support the rightful demand of journalists and media workers of Dar Assabah because it is the only way to guarantee their freedom of conscience and independent practice of public service journalism,” said Omar Faruk Osman, FAJ President.  “The readers of the three newspapers must be able to trust the Dar Assabah and be confident that its editorial decisions are not influenced by outside interests, whether political or personal”, he added.

 

For more information, please contact IFJ on +221- 33 867 95 87

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries