Free press fears for Tunisia

Activists have expressed concerns that Tunisia's largest journalism union is being controlled by a group of pro-government reporters. The organisation, Reporters Without Borders says the move, which undermines the independence of the union, will damage reporting in the forthcoming presidential elections in October 2009.

21 Aug 2009

Union president Neji Bghouri said the government was discouraging free journalism, and was intolerant of dissent. In October's elections, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who has been in power since 1987, will be seeking a fifth term in office. In previous elections he has taken more than 90% of the votes. A constitutional amendment in 2002 abolished presidential term limits.

Source: Panos London