Tunis: A large number of journalists, Wednesday, held a sit-in outside the Tunis Court of First Instance as a protest against the trial of TV and radio presenter Borhen Bssais and political commentator Mourad Zeghidi under Decree 54.
Borhen Bssais and Mourad Zeghidi are facing charges of “defamation and spreading rumors on social media platforms,” lawyer Nizar Ayed said.
Their trial started in the Criminal Chamber No. 8 of the Tunis Court of First Instance, Bssais’ lawyer, Nizar Ayed indicated, adding that all scenarios are possible despite ‘their innocence.’
During the sit-in, journalists raised slogans calling for guaranteeing freedom of expression as well as releasing journalists and all columnists being prosecuted under the same decree.
Speaking to journalists, President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), Zied Dabbar highlighted that ‘this first sit-in is part of a series of protests planned by the sector,’ reiterating that ‘other protests will be held pending the response of the go
vernment.’
“Solidarity between journalists is no longer enough amid the deterioration of the situation of the media sector as well as authorities’ inertia,” he said.
Dabbar underlined that 42 legal proceedings were initiated against media professionals, adding that ‘5 journalists were sentenced to prison.’
The sit-in was organised by SNJT.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse