Tunisia-Jelassi:Nessma TV can resume broadcasting if Karoui brothers withdraw

Nessma TV can resume broadcasting and sign an exceptional agreement with the Independent High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HAICA), as was the case for Hannibal TV, provided that the Karoui brothers withdraw, said president of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) Yassine Jelassi.

The main legal problem is that businessman Nabil Karoui, president of the Qalb Tounes party and his brother MP Ghazi Karoui are among the main shareholders of the channel.

“This is forbidden by law,” Jelassi said, adding “the two brothers should, initially, withdraw from the channel’s capital to agree on resuming broadcasting.”

The SNJT, the Media Union of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) and HAICA have consulted with Nessma TV officials about removing politicians from the channel so that it can resume its activities, following the example of Hannibal TV.

HAICA, on October 27, seized the broadcasting equipment of Nessma and Radio Quran.

The recording studios of the two channels were sealed, said HAICA member Hichem Snoussi, recalling that this action was taken is in application of HAICA’s decision to seize the broadcasting equipment of four “unlicenced” channels. These are Nessma TV, Zitouna TV, Hannibal TV and the Quran radio.

(TAP)