25 mai 2006

TUNISNEWS 7 ème année, N° 2194 du 25.05.2006  archives : www.tunisnews.net El Maoukif: Sadok Chourou derriere les barreaux Vérité-Action: Le régime tunisien accélère la répression OMCT – FIDH: Les actes de harcèlement à l’encontre des défenseurs se poursuivent Communiqué du Forum Démocratique pour le travail et les libertés FTCR: La LTDH doit pouvoir tenir son congrès, pour le plus grand profit des citoyens tunisiens Communique commun  : Nous rejetons la tentative du comité directeur de la LTDH de tenir le congrès de la Ligue malgré la décision de justice AFP: Congrès de la LTDH prévu malgré un jugement Répression des militants de droits humains marocains Compte rendu de reunion – Assemblee generale du CSGFen Tunisie Noticias: Ici on respire la liberté Tunisian Association of Journalists:The Reality of Press Liberties in Tunisia Tribune de Genève :Qui êtes-vous Anouar Gharbi? Jeune Afrique: Dans la tête d’un ado tunisien Libération: En Algérie, le changement de Premier ministre témoigne d’un nouveau rapport de forces au sommet du pouvoir Le Monde: M. Bouteflika consolide son pouvoir contre la tutelle des “services” Edito du Monde: Danger taliban

Derrière les barreaux

Sadok Chourou

Cela fait quinze ans que le docteur Sadok Chourou est séquestré derrière les barreaux du pavillon E de la prison du 9 avril, en isolement total.

Il est né le 13 février 1984 (*). Il est professeur d’université, titulaire d’un doctorat d’Etat en physique chimie et professeur assistant à la faculté de médecine et à la faculté de sciences de Tunis. Il a été condamné à perpétuité par le tribunal militaire de Tunis dans l’affaire du mouvement En Nahdha et depuis cette date, sa famille ravale son amertume et se rend d’une prison à l’autre pour lui rendre visite.

Parmi les conséquences destructrices sur la famille de Sadok Chourou : son fils Ouajih a eu des troubles psychiques et il est soigné pour maladie nerveuse, ce qui l’a contraint à arrêter ses études.

Quant aux autres enfants : Hajer est professeur et est mariée, Asma fait un troisième cycle et Islam est en sixième année secondaire ; ce dernier est privé de son père depuis qu’il a eu trois ans.

L’épouse de Sadok Chourou a du quitter son domicile et retourner vivre dans sa famille pour faire vivre ses enfants sur les économies de loyer. Mais le propriétaire, le président de la Chooba, a refusé de bloquer le loyer pendant quelques huit mois et elle n’a obtenu gain de cause que sur jugement du tribunal.

Sadok Chourou souffre de plusieurs maladies dues à la longueur de son incarcération : baisse de la vue, rhumatismes. Les organisations de défense des droits de l’homme qui avaient assisté à son procès l’avaient qualifié d’inéquitable et exigé sa libération immédiate.

(*) sic, LT

Source : El Maoukif, n°360 du 19 mai 2006-05-25

(Traduction ni revue ni corrigée par les auteurs de la version en arabe, LT)

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A la veille du 6ème congrès de la Ligue tunisienne des droits de l’homme (LTDH), la répression policière s’abat de nouveau sur les avocats tunisiens et les défenseurs des libertés fondamentales en Tunisie

Les actes de harcèlement à l’encontre des défenseurs se poursuivent

24/05/2006

L’Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT) et la Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l’Homme (FIDH), dans le cadre de leur programme conjoint, l’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits de l’Homme, expriment leur indignation suite aux différents actes de harcèlement dont ont fait l’objet les défenseurs des droits de l’Homme en Tunisie ces derniers jours.

En effet, le 23 mai 2006, un rassemblement d’avocats qui entendaient manifester contre la loi portant création d’un Institut de formation des avocats, adoptée le 9 mai 2006 par l’Assemblée nationale, et qui, selon le Conseil national de l’Ordre des avocats, porte atteinte à l’indépendance de la profession, a été violemment dispersé par la police près du Palais de justice de Tunis. Ainsi, près d’une vingtaine d’avocats se sont vus mettre à terre, roués de coups de pieds et de matraques, et insultés, dont Me Saïda Garrach, Me Abderrazak Kilani, membre du Conseil national de l’ordre des avocats tunisiens et membre du Centre tunisien pour l’indépendance de la justice (CTIJ), Me Ayachi Hammami, secrétaire général de la section de Tunis de la Ligue tunisienne des droits de l’Homme (LTDH), Me Samir Dilou, membre du bureau de l’Association internationale de soutien aux prisonniers politiques (AISPP), Me Khaled Krichi, membre fondateur de l’AISPP et ancien secrétaire général de l’Association des jeunes avocats, qui ont été blessés. Me Abderraouf Ayadi, ancien membre du Conseil de l’Ordre, membre et ancien secrétaire général du Conseil national pour les libertés en Tunisie (CNLT), s’est, quant à lui, vu déchirer sa robe d’avocat.

De surcroît, le bureau du Bâtonnier a fait l’objet d’une effraction, suivie d’une altercation entre les policiers et les membres du Conseil national présents sur place, qui ont tenté en vain d’empêcher les agresseurs de saccager le bureau, et d’emporter les documents confidentiels de l’Ordre national des avocats.

L’Observatoire rappelle que le 11 mai 2006, Me Ayachi Hammami, Me Abderraouf Ayadi, et Me Abderrazak Kilani, avaient déjà été agressés par des agents de la police politique, devant la Maison du Barreau des avocats, située en face du Palais de Justice à Tunis, alors qu’ils prenaient part à un sit-in afin de protester contre l’annonce, faite la veille, de la présentation du projet de loi mentionné ci-dessus (Cf. Appel urgent de l’Observatoire TUN 002/0506/OBS 059, daté du 12 mai 2006).

Par ailleurs, l’Observatoire rappelle que le 21 mai 2006, M. Yves Steiner, membre du Comité exécutif de la section suisse d’Amnesty International, a été interpellé par la police alors qu’il participait à l’Assemblée générale de la section tunisienne d’Amnesty International, à Sidi Bou Saïd, dans la banlieue nord de Tunis, avant d’être expulsé de Tunisie. M. Steiner avait prononcé un discours le 20 mai 2006 devant les membres de la Section tunisienne, dans lequel il avait dénoncé la multiplication des atteintes aux droits de l’Homme survenues ces derniers mois en Tunisie, notamment les entraves faites aux libertés d’expression et d’association.

Le lendemain, M. Hichem Ben Osman, membre du Comité exécutif de la section tunisienne d’Amnesty International, a été interpellé par la police sur son lieu de travail, à Sousse , puis conduit aux services du ministère de l’Intérieur à Tunis, où il a été interrogé sur le Congrès de la section et les débats qui s’y sont déroulés, avant d’être relâché le soir même.

L’Observatoire exprime sa plus vive préoccupation à l’égard de ces faits, qui illustrent une nouvelle fois les graves entraves posées à la liberté d’expression et d’association en Tunisie. Dans ce contexte, l’Observatoire exhorte les autorités tunisiennes à autoriser la tenue du 6ème Congrès de la LTDH, qui doit se tenir les 27 et 28 mai 2006.

De façon plus générale, l’Observatoire rappelle que la Tunisie est tenue de se conformer aux obligations internationales en matière de droits de l’Homme, et ce d’autant plus qu’elle a été élue au sein du nouveau Conseil des droits de l’Homme des Nations unies le 9 mai dernier, et en particulier le Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques auquel elle est partie, et la Déclaration sur les défenseurs des droits de l’Homme, adoptée le 9 décembre 1998 par l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies, notamment son article 1, qui prévoit que « chacun a le droit, individuellement ou en association avec d’autres, de promouvoir la protection et la réalisation des droits de l’Homme et des libertés fondamentales aux niveaux national et international » et, à cette fin, « de se réunir et de se rassembler pacifiquement » (article 5b).

Contacts presse : OMCT : +41 22 809 49 39 FIDH : +33 1 43 55 25 18

(Source : le site de la FIDH, le 24 mai 2006)

URL : http://www.fidh.org/article.php3?id_article=3355

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Communiqué du Forum Démocratique pour le travail et les libertés

 

Le bureau politique a tenu une réunion extraordinaire ce mercredi 23 mai 2006 suite aux graves incidents qui ont émaillé la journée de solidarité organisée le 22 mai 2006 par les avocats sous l’égide de leur conseil de l’ordre. Venant à un moment où l’étau se resserre dangereusement autour des partis de l’opposition et des organisations indépendantes et notamment la ligue tunisienne des droits de l’homme empêchée de tenir son congrès, ces incidents s’inscrivent dans le cadre d’un verrouillage étendu à toutes les formes d’organisation indépendante et d’expression libre de la vie publique.

 

 Le forum démocratique pour le travail et les libertés exprime sa réprobation quant aux agressions dont ont été victimes les avocats et au non respect de l’immunité d’un corps qui a fait, de tout temps et en toutes circonstances l’honneur de la Tunisie et de son peuple dans son combat pour l’indépendance et la liberté. Il réitère son entière solidarité avec les avocats et appelle ses dirigeants et militants à observer une journée de grève de la faim le 27/05/2006 en soutien aux revendications légitimes des avocats.

 

Le forum démocratique est convaincu que l’indépendance des avocats, au même titre que celle des magistrats, est une condition fondamentale de l’état de droit et demande aux autorités de mettre un terme à ces graves dérapages qui menacent la stabilité du pays et détériorent son image dans le monde.

 

Pour le bureau politique

Le secrétaire général

Dr Mustapha Ben Jaafar

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Fédération des Tunisiens pour une Citoyenneté des deux Rives

 

Communiqué

 

La LTDH doit pouvoir tenir son congrès, pour le plus grand profit

des citoyens tunisiens

 

 Depuis près de 8 mois, les autorités tunisiennes n’ont cessé de multiplier  les mesures administratives et judiciaires pour empêcher la tenue du  6ème  Congrès de La Ligue Tunisienne pour la défense des Droits de l’Homme et  entraver ses activités.

 

À quelques jours de son congrès décidé les 27 et 28 mai prochains, par  ses  instances légitimes et reconnues par toutes les organisations des  droits de  l’Homme à travers le monde, les locaux des sections et le siège de la  Ligue à Tunis sont encerclés par la police, les ligueurs empêchés d’y

accéder  et leur courrier bloqué. En particulier le sort des centaines d’hommes  et des  femmes défendus par la LTDH est suspendu.

 

Le coup de force contre la LTDH interpelle tous les Tunisiens.

 

La FTCR réaffirme son indéfectible soutien aux droits de l’Homme en  Tunisie  et assure le Secrétaire général et le comité directeur ainsi que les  militantes et les militants de la LTDH de sa solidarité.

 

Elle exprime sa profonde inquiétude à l’égard de la complicité des pays   arabes et du double langage des Etats de l’Union européenne qui, au nom  de la  prétendue lutte contre le terrorisme, tournent le dos aux valeurs  qu’ils  proclament.

 

Paris le 20 mai 2006

 

Bahija OUEZINI

Présidente la FTCR

 

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COMMUNIQUE

En tant que militants de la Ligue Tunisienne pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme, nous rejetons la tentative du comité directeur de la LTDH de tenir le congrès de la Ligue malgré la décision de justice

Tunis, le 20 mai 2006

L’actuelle direction de la Ligue Tunisienne pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme fait courir le bruit qu’un soi-disant congrès de la Ligue se tiendrait les 27 et 28 mai prochain. Il s’agit, ni plus ni moins, d’une supercherie, qui traduit la persistance des dérives anti-démocratiques du comité directeur de la Ligue Tunisienne pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme, engagé dans un combat contre les textes fondateurs de la LTDH et une partie des militants qu’il tient à exclure coûte que coûte de la vie de l’association.Sous le fallacieux prétexte de mener une opération de « restructuration » de la Ligue, des sections légalement élues ont été, en effet, arbitrairement supprimées, pendant que de nouvelles étaient illégalement fabriquées par le comité directeur, pour y caser des hommes de main et, ainsi, verrouiller le débat démocratique interne. Comme par hasard, la prétendue « restructuration » n’a concerné que les sections dont les dirigeants, pourtant régulièrement élus, étaient connus pour exercer leur liberté de pensée et de critique des dérives totalitaires de l’actuel comité directeur. Le sectarisme, le copinage, la « chasse aux sorcières » et la violence physique et verbale à l’encontre des militants n’ayant pas les faveurs du comité directeur, ont été érigés en modes de gestion de la Ligue, reléguant le noble combat pour la promotion des droits de l’homme à l’arrière- plan.Malgré plusieurs tentatives pour aboutir à une solution amiable qui respecte les statuts et le règlement intérieur de la Ligue, et préserve la crédibilité de l’association, le comité directeur continue à faire la sourde oreille. Alors qu’il sait pertinemment que le jugement rendu en référé le 5 septembre 2005 lui interdit de tenir un congrès ou de mener toute activité préparatoire audit congrès tant que l’affaire n’a pas encore été examinée au fond, l’actuel comité directeur a entrepris, au mépris du droit, de convoquer  un « congrès » pour les 27 et 28 mai prochain, avec seulement 24 sections sur les 41 que compte la Ligue, ce qui reviendrait à en exclure plus du tiers des congressistes statutaires.Cette machination apparaît, pour nous, présidents de sections, militants et membres fondateurs de la Ligue Tunisienne pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme, totalement inacceptable. C’est pourquoi, nous avons décidé d’user de nos droits légitimes pour faire appliquer le jugement en référé du 5 septembre 2005, y compris, requérir, au besoin, les services du Procureur de la République, pour faire intervenir la force publique, en vue de faire appliquer la décision de justice, et d’empêcher la tenue du soi-disant congrès.Signé :

  Me Chedly Ben Younes, président de  section de Tunis-Monfleury

Tel : 00216-98 311 424

  Dr Abderraouf Jemel, président de la section de Tunis Séjoumi

Tel : 00216- 98 353690

  Fathi Attia, président de la section de Hammamet

Tel : 00216- 98 319 687

  Mohamed Zine Dhouilaa, président de la section de Tataouine

Tel : 00216- 98 630 669 

  El Kamel Laabidi, président de la section du Kef

Tel : 00216- 98 478 201

Dr Salah Kachbouri, président de la section de Kasserine

Tel : 00216- 98 236 945

   Ridha Mellouli, président de la section de Tunis-Medina

Tel : 00216-98 306 607

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Congrès de la LTDH prévu malgré un jugement

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The Reality of Press Liberties in Tunisia  The Fifth Report Tunis, may 3rd, 2006

 

 Table of content   Introduction………………….………………….……1  I the Political Climate…………………..………..……2 II the Legislative Aspect…………..……………………5  III Material and professional condition ..………..…….9  IV Social Negotiations……………………………….12  V Written Press………………………………………15  VI Audio-visual Sector……………………………….19  VII Violations…………………………………………22  VIII Deontology of the Profession……………………25    Introduction    This is the fifth annual report about the real condition of press liberties in our country. It is prepared by the freedom committee of the Association of Tunisian Journalists. Nobody can ignore the importance of mass media as a fundamental measure for evaluating the nations’ progress. They assess the extent to which a given nation is rooted in the principles of liberty, justice and democracy. Mass media no longer represent the forth authority, since they become the field that encapsulates all sorts of thoughts, strategies and battles in the economic, cultural and social domains. As a symbol of excellence, superiority, and capability of reaching ends, media now initiate the row. They represent the first facet locally and internationally; locally as a means of development in its whole meaning and internationally as a gate of openness and interaction with the other from the position of partner not only consumer. This is what makes the role of the journlist vital and loaded with heavy responsiblity. Because we look for the best, this annual report is concerned with the obstacles and ligaments that hinder the system of development for which we eager. So we rely on moderation. We are neither flattering nor attacking, since our ultimate goal is the representation of reality with confidence in our ability to overcome setbacks. The publication of the fifth report goes along with the edition of the whole text of the association’s basic law in the Official Journal of the Republic of Tunisia – lawful, legislative and judicial announcements number 23 of 21st March 2006- after the amendement of a number of its articles, namely the second article that explicitly defines the tasks assumed to the association:  -grouping the journalists -advocating the journalists’ rights and especially protecting them from all sorts of violations and opressions that they may come across while working.  -protecting journalism and assuring respect for the deontology of the profession. -raising the reporter’s status.  -defending the freedom of thoughts and _expression and liberty of media and press.  -making treaties on the name of the journalists. At the same time, the association gained an elegant location that would patronize its independence, in addition to the preparation for establishing the “caisson of journalists’ cooperation” and provide them with lab-tops. All these facts translate the president’s attention paid to the sector of mass media. The fifth report is also accompagned by celebrating the fourty four anniversary of founding the association which is backed by a solid basis stems from the struggle of successive generations of journalists and it is still following the same path of independence and advocacy of reporters and of liberty of thought and _expression. The association knows how to preserve its privacy as a wide and everlasting scope of free _expression, democratic practice, pluralism and alternate responsibility. It always knows how to rise from its setbacks stronger than it used to be in order to remain a fortress for journalists, a refuge and a target of their hopes. The foundation of the Union of Tunisian Journalists remains the essential issue and the strategic goal that the association tends to realize. It embodies the struggle of generations of reporters who believe the project to be the only body that guarantees a qualitative transition in their job and material condition. The only body that assures the improvement of media scene and renders it so free and varied that it mirrors the richness of the Tunisian society, which suits the deep rooted culture of our nation and responds to the ambition of its elite.   I General Political Climate   The latest developments are numerous and they are seen at different levels:  1- The foundation of the Ministry of Communication and relation to the Parliament and the Council of Advisors provides the Association of Tunisian Journalists with an official representative that can promote the negotiations of different media files. This initiation meets the effort of the association to ameliorate the conditions of mass media and emphasize the ability of Tunisian reporters to assume their responsibilities. It also highlights a national press that suits our country and serves our debating issues and respects the right of our people in a free and rich press which reflects the social, political, and cultural dynamic in our society.  2- This year has witnessed the reconstruction of the High Council of Communication toward pluralism. It extends to involve representatives of the opposing parties and national organizations such as the the Association of Tunisian Journalists.  3- Starting the function of the Council of Advisors, which is founded to enrich the legislative scene and improve control over the executive power.  4- The consolidation of the political scene by giving the visa to a new party called “the Green Party for Progress”. There is another party assuming the same program is still asking for the right to obtain a visa. And in all cases, this orientation translates the dynamic of political awareness in the Tunisian society. 5- Releasing a number of prisoners. Some of them were accused in cases related to using internet. 6- In this year, The Association of Tunisian Lawyers has gone through a crisis which evokes a number of debates around the autonomy of this association.  7- As far as the Tunisian League for advocating Human Rights is concerned, the association wishes to overcome the crisis as soon as possible because this ancient organization is an achievement for all Tunisians.  8- After a three-year-lasted travail, the year of preparing this report has witnessed the birth of Tunisian Social Forum.This space is open for all components of the associational textile that denounces the negative impact of globalization. The ATJ is among the founders of the forum.  9- The organization of the SMSI in Tunisia represented a major event since it is the thenth international summit. It is also the first to group representatives of governments, civil society and private section. Building upon what preceeds, The Association of Tunisian Journalists considers the political dynamic in our country, including the interaction of thoughts and opinions of different sides, a sign of rightness as well as an enriching factor for further advancement of the culture of democracy and pluralism.   II Legislative Aspect    1- The Establishment of the Ministry of Communication and Relations to the Parliament and the Council of Advisors  In Tunisia, the real practice of the communications profession emphasizes the necessity of a frame that helps the sector to fulfill its needs and rise. In 17th August 2005, the nomination of a minister of communication and relation to the parliament and council of advisors was ordered. Then in 27th September of the same year, the order number 2219 of the year 2005 was enacted. It determines the functional scope of the Ministry of Communication. According to its first article, the new ministry is responsible for: 1- Assuring further progress of the communications sector that will enrich the conversational spirit and maintain the democratic culture as well as solidarity and tolerance values. 2- Sustaining the relations between the means of communications and the sources of news. 3- Promoting the sector by covering the journalists’ concerns.  4- The establishment of continued formation programs for the professionals. 5- The encouragement of researches and studies that aim at improving the sector and following high techniques of communications.  6- The preparation of the projects of legislative and organizing texts in the field of communications. 7- The administrative supervision on: * the High Council of communication, *Tunisian Radio and Television, *National Agency for the Promotion of Audio-visual sector, *Tunis Africa Press, *National Center of Documentation, *the African Center for Training Journalists and Communicators, *the New Company of Edition, Press, and Publication (la presse). In 3rd February 2006, the order number 362 of 2006 was passed. It deals with the organization of the Ministry of Communication without including a structural mechanism that would supervise and execute the first four points assumed to the ministry and especially that related to fastening the democratic culture.  The association proposes the foundation of special administrations for the achievement of these goals, with reliance on media qualifications agreed upon.   2-Amendment of the Press Code The basic law number 1 of 2006 was passed in 9 January, 2006. It contains the amendment of the press code, which is basically manifested in adding a final paragraph to the third article. It says: “also they do not submit to the legal depot the national press communiqués of the following news genres: The cyclic daily newspapers The cyclic press magazines. The dropped legal depot states that the responsible of edition should provide twenty duplicates of the cyclic category accompagned with three copies of the declaration; one of them is referring back to the depositor and bearing the stamp of deposeting office. This legally signed duplicate stands for an official announcement. In the meeting of parliament held in 28 April, 1975, the presentation of the project of the press code law satisfies that “thanks to the articles concerned with legal depot the national written patrimony would be conserved in addition to assuring the rightness of writings and so protecting them from forgery…” Although the constitutional committee insists in its decision number 79-2005 that ” legal depot aims especially at assuring a national account of conceptual, cultural and scientific categories preseved by specialized bodies..”, it realizes that the ommission of legal depot of newspapers and magazines does not raise any constitutional debate since ” in the course of legislations mentioned in the press code, legal depot does not represent a condition for practicing freedom assured by article 8 of the constitution, and so release some categories from this procedure rather than others does not affect the practice of these liberties.” Despite welcoming this last amendment as it uplifts the obstacles in front of press circulation and encouraging its expension to include books, the association assures the necessity of taking measures of protecting the national memory. Till now the journalists are still looking for a new amendment forbidding physical punishments from the press code.    3-The High Council of Communication Thanks to the order number 3176 of 2005, the construction of the High Council of Communication is widened to involve 21 members: 7 of them should be selected from the competent personalities in the field of communication and culture, 5 members from the parties represented in parliament, and 4 members represent the civil society. In addition to these members, the council includes president of the Tunisian Radio and Televison institution, the general director of Tunisian Agency of Exterior Communication, General President Director of Tunis Africa Press, president of the Association of Newspapers’ Directors and president of the Journalists’ Association. The preceding structure contained only 11 members that were chosen among the group of well-known competent persons in the field of communication and culture.  Despite the major role accorded to the council in assisting the ” the establishment of a general communication policy that looks essentially for assuring the right of citizens of a free media generated from multiple sources”, it would be more efficient if it is given the role of a decision maker.    4-Private broadcasting  Throughout the last period, a new radio station named “Eljawhara” has enlarged the media scene. This private station from Sousse started in 25 July, 2005. It is the second private radio station after “Mosaic FM”. The association appreciated this private initiation to widen the audio scene, yet it hopes new permissions are given to who asked for and the priority is for the professionals. It also insists on putting a bid of term to organize the sector and guarantee addition, vaiation, and transparency, which responds to the request of a number of them on the occasion of declaring the Tunisian Trade Union of Private Radio stations in November 10th, 2005.   5- Newspapers’ Publication The Tunisian law is considered liberal in terms of press publication. In its 13th article, the press code does not require from the applicants more than an announcement directed to the Ministry of Local Affairs in return for a receipt without which no publication would be possible according to the article 14. However, real practice often deviates from this principle, which makes the undelayed acceptance of all newspapers projects presented by the colleagues compulsory. Moreover the association proposes that the procedures in relation to media operation should be turned to the Ministry of Communication.    2- The system of foreign mass media The article 24 of the press code deals with foreign publications. It considers “foreign in the definition of this code all cyclic or non-cyclic categories whatever its language and published either abroad or by a company located in Tunisia and funded by a foreign capital totally or partially”. The legislator did not mention foreign publications abroad which have an office in Tunisia entitled of internal repuplication, such as the case of “Alarab Eldualia”. This newspaper is published in London and it has an office in Tunisia that employs a number of reporters. It is imprinted by “La presse” through the “Maghreb Company of Information Services in Tunis”, which was founded to serve this purpose. Yet, nobody knows the legal policy that governs it in addition to its disrespect for legal conditions of hiring stated by the Tunisian law and especially the collective convention of written press. Also the legislator did not account for the conditions of international news agencies and the bureaux of foreign press and the offices of international TV channels. The act number 1 of 1974 dated back to 9 August, 1974 and related to the institutes and the centers of culture, broadcasting, education, studies and foreign researches in Tunisia did not give an account for such situations. The reference to this point was limited. For the first time, it was mentioned in the 8th article from the law number 76 passed in 7 August, 1990, which is related to establishing the Agency of Exterior Communication. It stated that one of the tasks of the agency was “helping the representative of international press in Tunisia as well as private delegates in media domain to assume their responsibilities” without giving further clarifications. A second reference to the same point was in the order number 698 of 1993. It was enacted in the 5th of April 1993 and restricted the conditions of tax release and the tariffs imposed on import for the benefits of “the foreign presidents of international press agencies and bureaux of foreign press” in Tunisia. All what has been mentioned above necessitates filling the legal vacuum in this domain.   III Material and Professional Conditions  In preparing this section of the report, the Association of Tunisian Journalists relied on numerous points of view of colleagues and on the results derived from the questionary which was conducted last year on a category of 170 female and male reporters. The Tunisian journalist is still low-paid. For instance, one witness from “Dhar Assarih” emphasizes that the wage of a large number of jounalists in this institution does not exceed 200D per month and they are often paid two weeks after the date expected. Another witness from “Dhar Alaamal” also reported that several reporters do not receive their salary except after a couple of weeks. The reporters in “Dhar Alaamal” and “Dhar Assbah” are complaining about either being deprived of the production bonus or its delay to more than three years. The journalists of “Dhar Assarih” and “Hakaik” too are making complaints about being deprived of the wage of thirteenth month. Due to this condition, the questionary reveals that 56 % of the reporters covered by the questionary are heavily indebts, 62 % of their debts are direct loans, through which they want to overcome the monthly financial deficit. The questionary makes clear that a major percentage of these reporters are obliged to ask for advance either from the institutions they work in or from banks. Among the basic causes behind the declining material situations of journalists is that the majority of media institutions and particularly private ones do not respect the collective convention of the written press in addition to the widening gap between the regular wage suplements restricted by social negotiations and the accelerated rythme of increasing prices. The questionary shows that 48.5 % of the reporters are working for 6 years by limited contracts without being officially oppointed, which stands against the collective convention. As far as wages are concerned, all written press institutions, especially in the private sector, do neither apply the legal grid of wages nor respect the law of progress and promotion. As for social insurance, 16 % of the reporters involved in the questionary do not enjoy this right and particularly the assistant reporters who are completely cut off. In most media institutions, group insurance does not go beyond 59 %,in opposition to 100 % in some other sectors. As it is argued by the majority in “Dhar Alaamal”, “Dhar Assarih”, “Dhar Tunis Hebdo” and “Dhar la presse”, many journalists work in wretched situations, lacking in one of the above institutions the minimum health conditions. Their offices are not suitable. They are sometimes overcrowded by five reporters using the same bureau. They also lack the necessary equipements such us desks, chairs, and telephone. Besides, the absence of the appropriate work conditions in other institutions as “Elmulahedh” and “Adhwa”. In some institutions the journalist-photographers are complaining about the oldness of their equipments like cameras and audial technics. The reporters of “Dhar Assarih” suffer from pressure because of the accumulation of daily work they are supposed to accomplish. For instance, a single journalist of “Assarih”is asked to cover all international affairs, two others are to insure all pages of national affairs and only one reporter should make all the newspaper’s investigations. All these deficiencies are primarly due to the insufficient number of journalists working in such institutions, which would influence the performance of journalist and limit the creative aspect in his articles. Many written press institutions do not take into consideration the professional positions of reporters in addition to the absence of the appropriate conditions for supervision. Furthermore, many journalists in “Alarab Aldualia” are in the rank of cleaning agents, since their monthly wages do not exceed 250D and the greater number of them suffers from retarded payment. In the Tunisian Radio and Television institution and during a period of two months the assistant reporters’ wages have dropped from 300D to 180D for restricting expenditure. They are also deprived of group health insurance in the case of a work incident. A witness from Tunisian Radio and Television reports that a journalist accompanied by a group of technicians underwent a crash while working but the institution did not intervene even to pay the bill of her treament, which obliged the social aid organization of the institution to interfer in order for her to leave the hospital. Hence, the Association of Tunisian Journalists urges the Tunisian Radio and Television to regulate the journalists’ situations and especially the certain cases of 34 colleagues. In “Hannibal TV”, workers and journalists in particular did not sign legal work contracts. The employer-employee relationship does not respect any of the employment laws that are at work in the country. And so, dismission operations that have arisen mainly during the last weeks, are free from legal constraints. Generally speaking, 56 % of the journalists covered by the questionary express their disapproval of their work conditions. Under these unpleasant material and professional conditions, the Association of Tunisian Journalists asks for:  -compulsory application of the Collective Convention of Written Press.  -holding internal agreements in the media institutions that restrict production criteria.  -rehabilitating the administration of media institutions. -rehabilitating the locations of some media institutions. The worsening of material conditions of journalists has negative impact on their performance as they are functioning in a critical but rather a seductive sector and lurers may lead some of them to fall into loss that would touch the honesty of the profession and let its honorable mission deviate.   VI Social Negotiations The Association of Tunisian Journalists has participated for the second time successively in the social negotiations about the revision of national collective convention of written press institutions among the group of Tunisian General Labor Union represented by Fathi Ayari, a colleague from “Aschaab” (The people) newspaper. And on this occasion, the association addresses once again its gratitude and respect for the leadership of the union and for its general secretary for his constructive help and comprehension of journalists’ problems. The association appreciates its special relationship with the labor organization. The negotiations between representatives of employees and the representatives of employers from the Tunisian association of newspapers’ directors started in 7 April, 2005 and lasted till 17 Juin, 2005. It ended at rising the wages of all categories (the execution, leadership, supervision) and revising an important set organizational articles. Unlike the negotiations of 2002 that focused on increasing the wages of employees of written media institutions, the negotiations of 2005 involved the revision of the following organizational articles: 7, 8, 11, 19, 20, 24, 27, 38, 46, 47 recurrent, 48 recurrent, 48- 3 from the convention. Notice that some these articles have financial outcome. It is worthy to mention that thanks to the project of revising the convention presented by the employees’ side and involved the major part of the organizational and financial articles, in addtion to the positive atmosphere that prevailed the negotiations as well as the relative comprehension of the journalists’ demands and the encouragement of the Tunisian General Labor Union, the best of the negotiations results (in comparison with other negotiations in different professional sectors) of the year 2005 are reached within a relatively short period of time. For instance we can mention the amendment of some important articles like the seventh article. Instead of 30 %, the employer becomes obliged to hire at least 50 % from those graduated from the Institue of Press and Information Science. In the case of hiring a single reporter, he must be one of them. Also, the eleventh article (new) related to process and promotion satisfies an automatic promotion from a step to another every four years maximum in the same category rather than five years. Among the most important amendments serving the benefits of the employees of written press institutions is that applied to the article 24. The latter which is concerned with illness certificate imposes the payment of ill worker on the first five days, after being not paid at all. Starting from the sixth day, the employer has to pay the worker his full wage along the period mentioned in the certificate and later on he will be recompensated when the social insurance paid the worker back. Also, one of the articles that have an important financial effect on the reporters is the amendment of article 46 which is conserned with the production bonus. The maximum rate of this bonus becomes two months instead of one month and a half, which used to be since the publication of the National Collective Convention of written press institutions in the Official Journal of the repulic of Tunisia in 25 November 1975. Moreover, the article 47 recurrent (new) related to journalism production bonus has been amended. Starting from 1st of May 2005 this monthly bonus becomes 55D and 60D from the beginning of May 2006 to reach 65D from the beginning of May 2007. So the production bonus rate rises to reach 85.75 % since it used to be 35D per month in the beginning of its application in the media sector. It was agreed on increasing the basic wages of different categories as follows: – executing: 25D, – leading: 30D, – supervising: 35D This augmentation is to recur in the beginning of May of the three years 2005-2006-2007. What is imporatnt to mention is that the employees’ representatives proposed in the negotiations of 2005 the necessity of abolishing the recruitment out of working contracts for a limited period that can extend to four years. Instead they proposed a two-year period of apprenticeship as it is mentioned in the convention. It is a sufficient and relatively long period to assess the journalist’s ability and to evaluate his professional qualifications. In addition, the great majority of media institutions are maintainig this way of recruitment and most of the time they get rid of the recruited via contract for a specific period before reaching the four years. The association denounces the dangerous aspects of this condition and its negative impacts on the stability at work. This declared and hidden menace of stopping the imposed contract during the four years affects the journalist’s performance and loyalty to the job deontology and limits his autonomy. Thus, the association insists on obliterating this way of recruitment in the future by refuting article 7 recurrent which was intruded in the collective convention of written press. It calls the association of the directors of newspapers, employers and public authorities to respond to the association’s demand that would guarantee the intimacy of journalism profession as well as the stability of of reporters and the improvement of communications sector in our country. The Association of Tunisian Journalists emphasizes the fact that despite the positive results realized through the social negotiations and although most of the big institutions of daily press and other week paper respect the application of the collective convention of written press (without mentioning some periodical problems), a number of daily and weekly newspapers neglect partially or totally the the presence of the convention and do not treat their reporters nor their workers legally even those hired according to specific period contracts. This situation has negative effects on the journalists and on the content of some of these newspapers which tend to rely basically on plagiarism. They steal numerous articles, photos and productions without mentioning their sources. So they get rid of the press production, yet they are ‘free’ from the control. Regarding this condition, the association urges all colleagues who work in these institutions to move and defend their legal rights relying on their association. It asks the concerned authorities and the social security agencies (agencies of the CNSS) to control these institutions in order to oblige them to respect the law. It also asks the Agency of Exterior Communication and the supervision authority to respect the application of both articles 406 and 407 from the employment code. The former (406) satisfies the necessity of respecting the law organizing employment relationship in the press sector (the Collective Convention of Written Press), and the latter (407) deprives the institutions that do not respect the mentioned laws and agreements from “the amount of money provided by the nation, public communities and institutions for advertisement costs…” This would help the association and the colleagues who are deprived from their rights in these institutions to retrieve their rights and also impose respect of the employment law and collective agreements. As far as negotiations and social situations are concerned, the association highlights the necessity of its participation in the negotiations of the revision of basic law for the agents of the national Radio and Television institution as well as the basic law for the agents of the Tunis Africa Press agency.   V  Written Press In addition to its everlasting struggle to improve working conditions and the marge of basic liberties, the Association of Tunisian Journalists is highly interested in expanding the reporter’s role inside the media institutions as he is the corner stone of productions. All the previous reports mentioned the importance of holding regular liberation commitees. Apart from “Al-shorouk”, “Hakaek” and “Dhar La presse”, in irregular fashion, this urged demand is not yet realized. The association stresses that liberation organizations represent the essence of the profession, through which the reporter could express his point of view about the libertion line of his newspaper and so he could convince and be convinced. He would also participate in the daily exchange operation which he is concerned with in his institution and which is the content of media outcome. The association is recording a relative progress in the content of “Assabah”, “Le Temps”, “Al-shorouk” regarding the variation of the press forms and the press of proximity. This progress also involves “Hakaek” magazine with a lower degree. In return, it noticed the lack of press forms variety and especially that of press of investigation and opinion, except in rare cases. This lack is often justified by the fact that this media form, that is the basis of improving the press of proximity, necessitates time and money, which is unacceptable by press institutions. This form represents the source of improving the repoter’s abilities.It also enriches media production and promotes media content. Resorting to cloning ready made articles, information and images from the internet without mentioning the source, is considered an illegal attempt from the part of several newspapers to narrow down the work spaces of the journalist. It belittles the reporter’s capabilitity of production and despises the local outcome. This tendency can never be justified except by the struggle of most media institutions to grasp money at the expense of the quality and locality of production and the reporters’ rights. The association registers the continuity of convincing advertisement phenomenon in some newspapers. Though we have tackled this issue in the prevoius reports, some newspapers are still insisting on such practices that can be considered as committed thief of public money and trickery on the readers. As for the distribution of public advertisement, the previous report underlined the necessity of indicating clear specific criteria or publishing them if they were available. But, it is remarked that nearly all newspapers do not publish their retrieval number as it is imposed by law which is the single measure we have for regulating advertisment distribution and serving the fairness of this distribution. Undoubtdly, advertisement represents a vital source for newspapers. Instituions’ owners are still considering the distribution of public advertisment a pressing factor, which evokes in them a tendency toward exagerated worry and enlarges the circle of personal control justified by the ‘forbidden’ topics. Hence, the association calls for putting objective criteria for the distribution of public advertisement, just as the expansion and the extent to which press proprietors are committed to law (the press code, employment code, collective conventions). Recall that the damage caused by newspapers that rely on provoking seduction and marginality is as serious as that caused by serious press which ignores the problems of society. Despite some limited effort in “le Temps” and “Al-shorouk”, newspapers are in short of the articles of thoughts. Some newspapers depend on Tunis Africa Press and especially in the scope of national affairs, which prevent any addition or effort to enrich the information. This exagerated reliance on TAP could hinder the availble qualifications and kill the spirit of initiative and ommit any variation among newspapers. It may turn them to mere cloned publications, which do neither mirror the dialectics of thoughts and the peculiarity of opinions and topics proposals nor satisfy the journalists’ longing for enriching communications scene. The association also denounces the infringement of law in covering tribunal news. Information and images are published without sufficient investigation or permission. Since this sort of press production is highly critical, as it touches the private life of citizens, the association asks the reporters for further investigations. It also foregrounds the importance of organizing formation sessions for the reporters specialized in this domain, with the assistance of the concerned sides. As far as the information and the sources of information are concerned, The Association of Tunisian Journalists appreciates the presidential care provided to this media issue and hopes for the last decision positive feedbacks. Since confusing news with comments is the major trend, it asks for the enhancement of training sessions that should be supported by the specialized organizations. Moreover, the association warns of the danger of overgeneralization in publishing some ambigous news, such as the “tuna case” that led all companies to advertising operations and exacerbating their situation at a critical economic period. Hence investigation is essential in order to ‘nominate things by their names.’ In our press, woman is no more than a picture that is often exploited to serve cheap commercial ends. Depending on the assistance of the feminist organizations concerned, colleagues should resist such phenomenon that stresses the marginal image of woman. In the sports field, with the exception of “TAP” agency, the register is still overwhelmed by military and warfare expressions. This fact has often poisoned the situations and led to the emergence of dangerous deviations. The Association of Tunisian Journalists urges the colleagues to abide by the deontology of the profession and to investigate information. Reporters should bear in mind that sport is a general public phenomenon that has to be dealt with more seriously. Unfortunately, the association records the phenomenon of increasing concentration on legends, witchcraft, ‘jinn’, and horoscopes, while the role of media is to enlighten and to spread the culture of knowledge and modernity. Many newsparers intend to seduction and forge articles for a cheap commercial purpose. Game shows have overwhelmed the media scene. In opposition to law they are based only on luck and it is devoid of cultutral or educational content. Besides, some of these games promise to give unreal rewards. The danger of such competitions lays on their attack on hard work values by broadcasting the quick earning mentality and the dream of fortune.    The Parties’ Press  The Association of Tunisian Journalists expresses its apology for recording that the scene of press parties’ work keeps its routine. Untill now, it can not untie the link between parties, with all their colours, and the media work in dealing with various socially interesting issues. Their outcomes resemble press announcements where news and commentaries are intermingled. Most opposing newspapers lack professional reporters and openness to the other as they are ‘introvert’, apart from “Attarik Eljadid” which has kept a certain form of openness and objectivity. The association is sorry for the irregular publication of some opposing press and the absence of others despite the availability of public funds. &nbs p; &nbs p; The association is asking once again for employing professional journalists in order to improve the professional, informational and political discourse of these newspapers.    Electronic press Recently, media domain has witnessed a controversial debate about the definition of electronic press. In the two last reports the Association of Tunisian Journalists called for differentiating between this kind of press that responds to the necessities of modernity and the spheres of dialogue which are part of the freedom of thought and _expression. The association believes in the necessity of reliance on the bid of term for starting electronic newspapers and the priority is for the professionals out of clear constraints such as the professional factor and the effort of treating, analysing and commenting upon news . In the light of its announcement of 5 November 2005, the association is longing for not obviating the entry to some websites like that of the International Union of Journalists.    Press Publication Communications’ scene has witnessed the birth of three new titles; “Univers Sport”, “Tuni vision” and “Alkanonia”. As it has expressed in its previous reports, The Association of Tunisian Journalists sustains the colleagues’ demands for publishing their newspapers in order to enrich mass media and maintain variation and pluralism. From another side Tunisian market is loaded with a great number of foreign newspapers, but the non-distribution of some titles raises skepticism.   VI Audio-visual Sector The audi-visual sector is very important in the media scene. In addition to the influence of television channels and radio stations and their accessiblity to the audience, this sector with its public and private components provides employment for an important number of journalists (around one out of three of the professional reporters). During the period covered by the report, the audio-visual sector remains open to private initiations. In 25th July 2005, a second regional station named “Aljawhara” from Sousse started brodcasting. It works for 19 hours a day and covers six counties; Nabeul, Sousse, Kairoun, Mahdia, Monastir, and Zaghouan. “Hannibal TV” has gained earth broadcasting which enables it to extend its audience in Tunisia. As far as public sector is concerned, the president’s announcement of establishing a cultural radio station and opening a large consultation about the matter among the journalists and cultivated people assures once again the desire of expanding the media scene in general and sustain specialized press in particular. Who follows the audio-visual process from the 3rd of May 2005 registers the following: -Despite some effort, “Tunis 7” Channel does not see rational changes for the better. Hence, the Association of Tunisian journalists hopes for the current efforts of the supervision authority positive feedbacks on the Tunisian radio and Television in order to reach the expected level of professionalism and modernity. It also hopes that the institutional reconstruction serves these goals. Programming The association sees that the schedule of “Tunis 7” programs is characterized by random and routine. The selection of produced or purchased programs should submit to transpicuous criteria. News The association indicates that news department is still functioning without minimum structuring nor clear validity. When the director of news is absent, his duties is fulfilled by the the organizer, though such post is not mentioned in the basic law of the institution. In addition, there is no emancipated vision through the liberation councils or liberation meetings, since all news broadcasting should submit to a unique administration. Although the association records the presence of reportages, it argues that they are governed by routine and lack of variation. The same representation is aplicable for instance on the section ‘street problems’, which halts the press of proximity requested by the association in its previous reports. As for Arab and international news, the association perceives the easiness in preparing the news material and the amateur style in dealing with it. This is due essentially to the lack of the conception inspite of the waves of information.   Conversational and Informational Programs  The institution’s administration intended in many occasions to drop some sessions from “Almindhar” for unknown reasons despite the high profession of its staff. From another side the program “Milaffat” does not yet meet the journalists’ nor the audiance’s expectations in terms of the selection of subject and method of direction. The president of the republic has called in several occasions for the necessity of expanding the spaces of conversation that would benefit the free and pluralistic media. The association sees that both public and private aspects of the audio-visual scene require reconstruction and rehabiliation in order to be the communicative that honestly expresses the development of Tunisian society, the consciousness of its people and the competence of its elites. This is not sufficiently available in the three existing public and private television channels. In “Hannibal TV” channel, thanks to the professional experience of a colleague journalist, a new breath was evoked. But, this positive inspiration dropped after her retirement and getting rid of a number of journalists. The association perceives that this T.V channel is still looking for the self-hood after aproximatively one and a half year of its foundation. Bear in mind that this channel gained great privileges from the state (financial sustainment, public advertisement, earth transmission..). However, the association thinks that the outcome of its first year is negative because of the violation of the journalists’ and technicians’ rights, in addition to its unprepared programs and the weakness of presented material which consists basically of imported programs filtered by private production built upon stimulating the audience’s curiosity. The flavor of ‘audacious’ conversation in the sports program “Souiaa Sport” is not enough to locate “Hannibal TV” in the position of a media institution capable of developing the audio-visual scene in our country. As regarding the national and the five regional radio stations (Monastir, Sfax, Gafsa, Tataouine, and Elkef), they have relatively succeeded in presenting the media that responds to the needs of citizens and mirrors the specificities of regions and the rythm of life in them. And this is reflected through the news material presented and the content of life and even recorded programs that are open to citizens’ participation. As mentioned in the previous report, the experience of “Mosaic” radio station occupies a major position. Its speciality and stamp help it extend the circle of its listeners… This station opened spaces of _expression and applied the press of proximity through some programs such as the daily “Forum” which shows some audacity in tackling actual issues related to daily concerns of the Tunisian citizen. Furthermore, its reliance on the internet represents a qualitative transition since the sphere of its listners extands inside and particularly outside Tunis. The association wishes that this radio station overcomes the setbacks of some of its programs. The association calls for the necessity of founding a bid of term at the earliest convenience, for applicants who want to establish TV channels or private radio stations. This would ensure transparency in providing permissions and guarantee the existence of mass media with clear identity. It would guarantee mass media at a high level of proficiency and professionalism and assure the citizen’s right of the media and the workers’ right in this sector.    VII  Violations Although in its previous reports the Association of Tunisan Journalists stressed its denial of the violations that faced reporters, it records that such behaviours still exist inside the institutions.    1-The control:  The reporters are continually complaining about exagerated control from the part of editing responsibles inside media institutions without objective justifications, to the extent that a journalist asked his president of edition to provide him with a “list of subjects he could write in” Control does not only cover the subjects that concern national life, but also international events, which is the case of some daily newspapers that chose to deny events like the Italien election and the Palestinian election.    2-The prohibition of covering the events: Many colleague reporters express their concern for numerous obstacles that stand between the reporter and the information. Some responsibles with different degrees intend to demand questions via fax and even read the article before its publication. Every day, these hardships and others face reporters in different institutions. From another side, some infringements and unacceptable behaviours against the journalists were seen when the latter were covering some trials and manifestations in the Justice Palace as they came across prohibition from the police agents. The association expressed in its previous report its disapprovement of such behaviour and addressed the concerned authorities advocating the journalist’s dignity and his right in accomplishing his duties according to the professional rules and the citizen’s right of media.    3- Freezing:  As we have mentioned in the previous reports, the phenomenon of paralysing the journalists’ competences continuous through the freezing policy as it refers to loosing matereial and human energies in addition to the disappoinment especially in public institutions, Tunisian Radio and Television institution, “SNIP” institution (“La presse” and “Assahafa”) and also “Dhar Alaamal”. In Tunis 7 channel, there exists a whole department known among journalists as “Elfrigider” (the refrigerator). And in “Alhorrya” and “La presse” newspapers, three colleagues were ogliged to leave in a compulsory vacation.    4- Dismission: Press profession is considered the most fragile due to the ignorance of law from the part of the employers in the private sector and the lack of control above them. It is worth noticing that only private institutions are marked for the dismission operation, while public institutions participate in holding some of the cases advocated by the association in addition to “Alshorouk” and “Alshaab” newpapers. However such cases are recurrent because the employers rely on contracts to escape official appointment of the reporters and getting rid of them whenever they want. In this year the association has recorded a new case of dismission targeted the colleague Mourad Allala (Arabic magazine of Human Rights, published by the Arabic Institute of Human Rights). The colleagues dalinda Touil, Malika Daghfous, and Chiraz Naffati are still dismissed from “Assabah”    5-Jurisdiction:  The Association of Tunisian Journalists questions the rationality behind some customary judgments which were taken in the cases of some colleagues dismissed from “Dhar Assabah”. In contrast with the widespread jurisprudence orientation, the courtial orientation in the previous mentioned cases did not go along with the employment law and the convention of written press. Such judgment may form an initiative that encourages some media institutions’ owners to further infringements of laws and of journalists’ established rights.    6- Card of Professionalism: Although the representation of the Association of Tunisian Journalists in the committee of according the cards of professionalism, this membership does not have a great importance since its vote is not decisive inside this committee. Thus, the association argues that the journalists themselves are the most qualified to accord the title of a journalist and control the entry to this profession and purify it from the outsiders through The Union of Tunisian Journalists whose basic law project has been presented to the government in more than a single occasion.   7- The Association’s autonomy: The Association of Tunisian Journalists refuses the interference of any side in whatever disagreement that may take place inside it, because variations of thoughts and dissimilarities of ideas represent its major stamp. When the path of moderate agreement reaches an impasse, it resorts to organizations and vote.  The convocation of a member in the office for questioning him about an internal disagreement is considered a shameful accident that should not recur.    VIII Deontology of the press profession Once again the Association of Tunisian Journalists stresses its total refusal to the continuity of directed media campaigns that risk turning to be a planned policy. So it urges the reporters and press institutions not to follow this way which disrespects the deontology of the profession and the morality in general and accuses whoever insisted and still insists on continue committing mistakes. Professionalism is the basis of the press work. Personnification, moral accusations, profanation and distrust that some newspapers resort to necessitate legal punishment. Such attitude is always attacked by the association as it stands against the honor and the deontology of the profession. Moreover, the phenomenon of publishing unsigned articles still exists. They respond to events and attitudes that the reader or the Tunisian audience has never seen. Previously, the association has denounced the practice of duality in mixing press reduction with advertisement, which harms the journalist’s credibility and backgrounds the press production, in addition to the convincing advertisement that many newspapers rely on in the form of reportages, speeches, investigations, or even news. Although the press law states explicitly that the word “advertisement” should be put in front of any advertising article in the form of production, many Tunisian newspapers ignore the law and tend to present advertising material in the shape of press productions that are frequently signed. Such practice opposes the profession ethics. Several Tunisian newspapers resort to stealing articles from Arabic and foreign press and use them as if they were their own production, without mentioning the source or having a precedent permission. Like “Assarih”, many newspapers intend to cut complete articles claiming that they are letters of their representatives. Even they add the _expression “special” from “our representative in Baghdad” or Cairo …without mentioning the name of the representative. “Al- Ealen”, “Adhwa” and “Assarih” resort to the internet to fill an important part of their pages, especially which concerned with international news, shows, and images. It is important to mention that these newspapers employ a very limited number of reporters.    The outsiders on the profession: During the last years, the journalists are complaining about the increasing number of the outsiders. The latter are characterized by executing whatever the institution ask them to do, even if it is in contrast with the deontology of the profession. Although the article 7 (new) of the collective convention of written press institutions dictates that the employer should not recruit any employee out of the frame of this convention and should not bargain with the assistants to accomplish tasks that can be done by the workers in the institutions…”, some newspapers aggress this text and particularly if the matter concerns critical sectors like the organizations or the associations. “Alshorouk”, “Alssabah”, and “Tunis Hebdo” newspapers have relied on persons who are unfamiliar with the profession to write in subjects while they are rich of qualified and specialized journalists.

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Authorities Detain And Expel International Observer

 

Article 19 (London) PRESS RELEASE May 23, 2006 Posted to the web May 24, 2006  

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Genève Qui êtes-vous Anouar Gharbi? Un informaticien au service de la Palestine

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La BIAT sort de la Tunisie

  La Banque internationale arabe de Tunisie, première institution financière privée du pays avec 15 % de parts de marché, devrait ouvrir avant fin 2006 des succursales en Algérie, en Libye et au Maroc. La BIAT répond ainsi au besoin d’accompagnement de ses clients sur ces différents marchés où l’on retrouve de plus en plus d’entreprises tunisiennes – on en dénombre notamment quelque 650 en Algérie. Et la BIAT ne compte pas s’arrêter en si bon chemin puisqu’elle a introduit une demande d’agrément pour la création d’une banque de statut juridique algérien.    (Source : Jeune Afrique N°2367 du 21 au 27 mai 2006)

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