View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
August 26, 2016

Tunisian president signs declaration on media freedom

By Freddy Mayhew

Tunisia has become the second state to sign up to the Declaration on Media Freedom in the Arab World, hailed as a “turning point” for press freedom by the International Federation of Journalists.

President Beji Caid Essebsi signed the declaration during a meeting in Tunis today in front of delegates from the IFJ, Tunisian workers’ unions, UNESCO and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The declaration – a clear commitment to the principles of media freedom, independent journalism and the right to information – has already been backed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

According to the IFJ, which is campaigning against a media crackdown in Turkey after the failed presidential coup, said heads of all parliamentary groups in Tunisia have also signed it.

A national meeting of 150 representatives from media organisations, editors, trade unions, national commissions and institutions and journalists followed the signing.

Monir Zaarour, IFJ coordinator for the Arab World, said: “Today will be remembered as the turning point for media freedom in Tunisia and the Arab World.

“It is a recognition that press freedom and independent journalism is not only a force for public good, it is also a public good itself.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

“Signing the declaration today will pave the way for the establishment of a regional mechanism to support media freedom in the Arab world that is truly independent from government control with the declaration at its heart”.

Neji Bghouri, SNJT union president and IFJ executive committee member, said: “This is a historic day for press freedom in Tunis and the region.

“Today we have agreed clear guidelines for reforming the Tunisian media.

“It will serve as a guide to the government due to be sworn in today and the parliament when they start the process of passing the media legislation, especially reforming public service media and the law on the higher independent commission of the regulation of the audio visual sector”.

The declaration was adopted at a meeting hosted by the IFJ and the Moroccan journalists union (SNPM) in Casablanca in May 2016.

The IFJ says it is the first step to establishing a Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in the region to uphold the principles contained in the declaration.

The declaration is the culmination of a 20-month process of consultation with technical experts and media stakeholders and is supported by hundreds of journalists unions, broadcasters, human rights organisations and press freedom groups, according to the IFJ.

It sets out 16 key principles, among them: freedom of expression, freedom of information, journalists’ safety, media law reform, self-regulation, equality and the independence of public service broadcasters.

Picture: Reuters

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network