More than the exercise of collective dissent, as a common denominator and at the core of these protests is the call on governments to engage with grass-root movements and the public at large beyond the regular election process. Journalists and bloggers continue to play a central role in providing and relaying vital information.
Arab media, internet and free speech under attack
Sustained government propaganda will convince any waverers that political stability and economic prosperity are far more important than personal freedoms, rule of law, universal human rights and democratic values. Despite the wishful thinking of the crowds, the final chapter of the Arab Spring is being written: it is about over.
Les photos de la 6e édition du Forum WAN-IFRA de la presse arabe.
Voici les photos de la dernière édition du Forum WAN-IFRA de la presse Arabe, ayant eu lieu du 24 au 26 novembre 2013. Au-delà de l’objet même du Forum, c’est l’une de ces rares occasions durant lesquelles se réunissent quelques-uns parmi ceux qui ont à cœur le devenir de la profession ainsi que son indépendance. Derrière ce combat pour la liberté de la presse, il y a d’abord des femmes et des hommes, mais également des ONGs qui font un travail forçant le respect depuis des années…
Le 6ème Forum de la Presse Arabe Indépendante / Arab Free Press Forum, Tunis 24-26 novembre 2013
L’Association Mondiale des Journaux et des Editeurs de Médias d’Information (WAN-IFRA) s’apprête à accueillir des délégués venant des quatre coins de la région Arabe pour la 6ème édition de son Forum de la Presse Arabe Indépendante, qui aura lieu du 24 au 26 novembre 2013 dans la capitale tunisienne, Tunis.
The Tunisian Youth Parliament: An Evaluative Reading
The idea is to have the Tunisian youth act as delegates in a model of the Parliament, as is the case with the European Youth Parliament and other parliamentary youth representations. I had the chance to participate in the event after I got accepted among sixty young Tunisians. This article is my personal evaluation of the event as a whole, beyond the outward show of harmony.
Tunisia: Student Marwa Maalawi sentenced to three months of jail for using a derogatory word
On Wednesday October 9th, 2013, the 20- year old student Marwa Maalawi was sentenced to 3 months of jail on charge of addressing women’s minister Sihem Badi with derogatory word. On the 27th of March, 2013, student Marwa raised a sign in a protest in front of the ministry of women on which she wrote: “In the era of terrorist Ennahdha, a chaste woman is raped because her minister is a whore.”
Credit Agencies: The arrogance of failure
First of all, the failure of the rating agencies before the subprime crisis is complete and total. That’s an undeniable fact and the huge effort that those agencies are making to restore their credibility will not, in any way, change that fact. And you should not listen to anyone who is telling you otherwise even if that person is Patrick Raleig.
Forbidden Voices
On the 2nd day of the Human Screen International Film Festival in Tunis, “le Mondiale” movie house exhibited yesterday “Forbidden voices”, a film which was released in 2012 and which was winner of the Amnesty International Award and the Swiss Film Festival Award as “Best Documentary”. The film narrates the story of three young and courageous female bloggers, from three different countries, who made a revolution from behind a laptop.
Open appeal to the Moroccan authorities: Over 50 freedom of expression organisations call for immediate release of Moroccan editor Ali Anouzla
20 September 2013 – We, the undersigned press freedom and freedom of expression organisations call on the authorities in Morocco to immediately release Ali Anouzla, editor of the Arabic edition of the news website Lakome, who was arrested on 17 September 2013, in connection with an article published on his website.
A week in Tunisia politics: Negotiations, security concerns and judicial independence
The National Constituent Assembly’s first plenary session was overshadowed by a nationwide press strike in protest of the recent crackdown on Tunisian journalists and media personalities. Despite the resumption of political activity, the investigation of Mohamad Brahmi’s assassination remained at the forefront of Tunisian politics and was the focal point of Thursday’s meeting. In addition, both the opposition and ruling coalitions have reviewed UGTT’s latest proposal for a renewed dialogue.
Journalists on Strike Against Infringement of Free expression
On Saturday, the National Union of Tunisian Journalists, with support from the Union of Culture and Information, organized a general press strike held on September 17 to “oppose attacks against journalists from authorities who are desperate to treat journalists as criminals on the basis of repressive laws,” according to a press statement.
Tunisia: Spate of Prosecutions for Free Speech. Journalists, Union Leader Prosecuted for Criticizing Officials
Human Rights Watch : (Tunis, September 13, 2013) – Tunisian authorities should quash the detention of a prominent activist and […]
Ennahda’s designation of Ansar al-Shari‘a as terrorists: a signal of weakness
August 27 marked a decisive turning point in the Tunisian government’s relationship with the Salafists. Indeed Ansara al-Shari‘a in Tunisia (AST), the most important Salafi group in Tunisia, was officially designated as a terrorist organization. Why this abrupt acceleration toward the systematic repression of the movement has occurred? What does it mean this government’s and, above all, Ennahda’s move?
Human Rights Watch / Tunisia: Rappers sentenced to prison for artwork, writing, lyrics deemed ‘insulting’
Tunisia: Rappers Sentenced to Prison String of Prosecutions for Artwork, Writing, Lyrics Deemed ‘Insulting’ (Tunis, September 5, 2013) – A […]
Authorities urged to drop all charges against detained TV cameraman
Reporters Without Borders, the Tunis Centre for Press Freedom, the National Union of Journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists and […]
Tunisia: Investigate Alleged Abuse in Prison – Two Detainees Report Beatings, Torture
Human Rights Watch – (Tunis, August 29, 2013) – Tunisian authorities should open prompt and thorough investigations into allegations of […]
Post-Brahmi-Assassination Crisis: a Political, Geopolitical, or Apolitical Solution
From July 25th onwards, socio-political forces have been seeking to transform Tunisia from a post-revolutionary to a “re-revolutionary” country. Complications have risen as “terrorist operations” seem to multiply, not by coincidence. It would be presumptuous to force a final analysis on the situation, since a lot of details remain mysterious; however, let us try to look at the “story” from different angles and perspectives.
Amnesty International /Egypt: Evidence points to torture carried out by Morsi supporters
Evidence, including testimonies from survivors, indicates that supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi tortured individuals from a rival political camp, […]