The Independent High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HAICA) has alerted members of the Parliament on practices it describes as ‘dangerous’ during recent plenary sessions.
These practices ‘limit the freedom of journalists to perform their duties,’ HAICA said in a statement on Friday. It called on MPs to ‘defend the freedom of expression and the press, as well as the right of citizens to access information.’
HAICA said it rejects any attack on freedom of expression and refuses any harassment, intimidation and violation suffered by journalists in the public and private sectors.
In this context, the Authority reaffirmed its support for journalists Monia Arfaoui and Mohamed Boughalleb. It condemned the prosecution of journalists under Decree Law 54 and urged judges to apply the provisions of Decree-Laws 115 and 116 instead.
HAICA also affirmed that it will continue its fight against any attempt to undermine freedom of expression, despite the ‘pressure’ it is facing and the ‘administrative control’ exercised over its activities.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse