Written by Afef Abrougui
The collective blog Nawaat, and IFEX-TMG (the Tunisia Monitoring Group of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange) have launched a campaign for freedom of speech in Tunisia, which remains under threat despite gains made during the last year.
Nawaat introduced the campaign:
"On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, and in support of free speech in Tunisia, a public campaign for freedom of expression was launched on May 1, and will continue until May 15, 2012. The camapign is run by Nawaat, and the Tunisian Monitoring Group (TMG) of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), a coalition of 21 members of IFEX. The campaign is also supported by the European Union, and OXFAM Novib."
Ads in Tunisian newspapers, billboard campaigns in the streets, and videos advocating freedom of expression are all part of this initiative. In addition, an anthology called Fleeting Words, bringing together articles, commentaries and poems written during and after the regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has been published. The campaign also includes a series of trainings and workshops.
The campaign comes 18 months after the fall of the regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, a long time enemy of freedom of speech. During these 18 months, gains for freedom of expression have been made. These gains include uncensored web access, the emergence of a culture of protest, an increase in the number of media outlets, and a flourishing of art, such as the art of caricature which has witnessed a boom since Ben Ali’s departure.
The old practices, however, are far from over. In February, for instance, three journalists from the Arabic daily Attounisia were arrested for publishing a front page photo of Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira with his naked girlfriend. And on May 3 (World Press Freedom Day) a court in Tunis fined the owner of Nessma TV over the broadcast of the Iranian-French animated film Persepolis.
Index on Censorship, a member of IFEX-TMG, commented:
"The need for continuing work in the sector was underlined by the prosecution of Nabil Karoui, director of privately-owned Nessma TV for blasphemy and disturbing public order."
Source: Global Voices
Link: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2012/05/07/tunisia-campaign-for-freedom-of-expression-launched/