Tunisia-Appointment of new CEO : TAP staff in open sit

TAP news agency staff decided Tuesday to stage an open sit-in to protest against the appointment of Kamel Ben Younes as new CEO and said the nomination is “overtly political and partisan.»

They said they are fully opposed to dealing with Ben Younes over his involvement before the Revolution in violations against the freedom of press and expression and trade union action. The move is also driven by his attempts to undermine the independence of the Tunisian League of Human Rights (LTDH), his active participation in propaganda in the service of the dictatorial regime and his violent reactions against women.

After the Revolution, Kamel Ben Younes continued to serve known political agendas, reads a statement issued Tuesday following an urgent meeting held at the call of the agency’s sections of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists and the Tunisian General Labour Union.

TAP journalists and employees called on Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi to reconsider “immediately” this “serious” nomination and keep TAP away from any attempts of enslavement and political instrumentalisation. Mechichi “will be held responsible for possible consequences,” further reads the statement.

TAP staff said they will be mobilised against this appointment that seriously threatens the independence of TAP as a public facility financed by taxpayers and called for “total impartiality” towards the different political actors and social players.

They urged all parties involved in the media sector to rationalise the process of appointing TAP CEOs which is monopolised by the Prime Ministry as was the case under the former dictatorial regime.

Civil society and champions of the freedom of press and expression are invited to stand beside the national news agency at a time when political entities are tirelessly trying to lay their hands on public and private media outlets.

TAP journalists and staff are committed to resorting to all forms of legitimate struggle to defend the independence of their institution.

(TAP)