Tunisia- SNJT calls on Interior Ministry to put in place plan to protect journalists

The National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) called on the Ministry of Interior to put in place a clear plan and an effective coordination mechanism for the protection of journalists and photographers, especially during the coverage of demonstrations, protests and rallies.

The call comes after the number of attacks on journalists increased in September compared to August.

In its September report, the SNJT recorded 22 attacks out of 25 reports received.

The security forces are at the top of the list of perpetrators of attacks on journalists and reporters during the same month, with 10 attacks.

The union also calls on the Ministry of the Interior to open investigations into acts of violence committed by police forces against journalists in the field in September 2021.

The SNJT also recalled the need to respect the freedom of journalistic work, recommending to issue circulars and internal notes prohibiting the obstruction of their work during the coverage of protest movements.

It also called on the Presidency of the Republic to open up more to media institutions and adopt a clear communication policy, based on transparency and interactivity.

It urged the various political actors not to involve journalists and photographers in political conflicts and to stay away from speeches inciting hatred and violence.

The SNJT recommends that journalists file complaints with public prosecutors regarding attacks on them.

According to the union, all attacks on journalists in September 2021 took place in 19 occasions on site and in 3 others in the virtual space.

The Unions specifies that most of these attacks occurred in the governorate of Tunis (14 times), while only one attack was recorded in the governorates of Medenine, Ariana, Nabeul, Monastir, Kairouan, Sousse, Kasserine and Sidi Bouzid.

(TAP)