Statement- Access to the presidential Palace
The foreign media correspondents based in Tunis regret to have been sidelined during the recent official meetings held by the Tunisian presidency.
In December, when Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan was visiting the country, foreign correspondents were not given access to the palace to attend the press conference, as highlighted by Reporters Without Borders. Tunisian journalists also encountered difficulties, according to the national union for journalists, the SNJT. No journalists were present for the statement by the French minister of foreign affairs during his visit to Tunis on January 9.
We underline the necessity for journalists to attend events in person in order to provide coverage: official images are not a sufficient stand-in for on the ground journalism.
We understand that there are security constraints and it is for this reason that we are accredited by the Tunisian authorities.
We are ready to organise between ourselves when circumstances require, to ensure coverage despite time constraints or logistical challenges during certain visits.
We know that we can count on the good will of the presidency’s communications services and we support all of their initiatives to allow the media to fulfil their role as observers of democratic life. We hope that the doors of Carthage will remain open and that the presidency will welcome our independent and diverse coverage of its activities.
Read MoreConcerns grow for journalists following a third detention
The NAFCC one again expresses its deep concerns over the growing pressure on foreign journalists working in Tunis and condemns the arrest of two journalists.
The latest incident happened on Monday, 15th January, when Nacer Talel, videographer for Anadolu Agency and his photographer colleague Enes Canli, were covering the Football Club Esperance’s 99th anniversary in the Bab Souika district of Tunis. Both journalists are fully accredited with the Tunisian authorities and Nacer Talel also holds a filming license issued by the communication services of the government presidency press office.
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