Tunisia-HAICA sends open letter to the prime minister

The High Independent Broadcasting Authority (HAICA)  decided on Tuesday to address the deputies who support freedom of expression and information and invite them to adopt the draft organic law on the freedom of audiovisual communication, which was withdrawn on Monday by the government, and to propose it as a legislative initiative, in accordance with the provisions of article 62 of the Constitution.

According to article 62 of the fundamental law, “the initiative of laws is exercised by proposals for laws from at least ten deputies”.

In a statement released Tuesday at the end of an emergency meeting, HAICA said it had sent an open letter to the head of government, in which it expressed its “astonishment” and said it regretted the withdrawal. the draft organic law on the freedom of audiovisual communication, which the government of Elyes Fakhfakh had submitted to the Parliament on July 9, 2020.
HAICA also underlined the “gravity” of the proposed amendment to Legislative Decree No. 116, which was presented by Al Karama coalition  (18 deputies) at the beginning of May, calling it ‘”objectionable initiative”.

The HAICA Council also decided to convene all professional structures in the sector to an urgent meeting, in the light of these developments, which it qualified as “serious”, to examine the various proposals and procedures to be undertaken in order to guarantee the freedom of the media.