SNJT executive committee will decide on all actions to be taken to defend media sector in Tunisia

Tunis: The executive committee of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (French: SNJT) was assigned to decide on all actions to be taken to defend the rights of media professionals in the sector.The executive committee will stand firm against any attempts seeking to counter the achievements of the Tunisian Revolution, mainly freedom of expression, freedom of opinion and freedom of the press as well as the right to protest, the right to organise sit-ins and days of anger and the right to observe strikes in coordination with other professional structures.In a statement released on Monday, the executive committee warned against "the serious threats media professionals are facing," referring to "the disappearance of dozens of media outlets and the regression of freedoms in the country."Members of the executive committee denounced the arrest of a number of journalists and media professionals as well as the legal proceedings initiated against them for "unfounded reasons" contrary to the Tunisian Constitu tion and international texts ratified by Tunisia.On the other hand, they called on heads of several media outlets, including Hannibal TV, Elhiwar Ettounsi, Attessia, Radio IFM and the company Cactus Prod, to respect the professional and financial rights of journalists.They criticised the policy adopted by public media officials which fundamentally undermines the principle of diversity and plurality by dismissing opposing opinions and censoring critical journalistic content. The SNJT called on journalists to respect, citizens' rights to an unbiased and professional public service.On another level, the Union criticised 'the government and state institutions' inertia' in the face of the threats weighing on the sector, calling for an open dialogue with the parties concerned.Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse