Tunisia-HAICA criticizes Ghannouchi’s interview on Nessma TV

The High Independent Broadcasting Authority (HAICA) communicated on Wednesday bewilderment at the interview given by House Speaker Rached Ghannouchi to illegal TV channel “Nessma.”
These practices oppose laws and terms ruling the audiovisual sector and displays non-compliance with the law and impunity, the HAICA lamented in a statement.
The HAICA points out that Ghannouchi’s interview signals a further step towards the stranglehold by influential parties on the media, condemning the use of unauthorised media belonging to political parties whose file was referred by the HAICA to the National Anti-Corruption Authority.
The authority estimates that the HPR Ghannouchi purposely picked an illegal TV channel speculated of corruption and belonging to a political partner to address Tunisians, even though the media scene includes several public and private channels. A position which, according to HAICA, attests to the gravity of the crisis in the country.
The authority asks, in this regard, for a definite position of State institutions, civil society, trade unions and all the active forces in the country to put an end to the lack of respect for the law and anti-democratic practices.
The HAICA also called on all parties to fully shoulder their responsibilities and enforce respect for the Constitution and laws of the country.