Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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09TUNIS287 | 2009-05-13 10:15:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Tunis |
VZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHTU #0287/01 1331015 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 131015Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6279 INFO RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE PRIORITY |
C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000287 |
1. (C) The leadership of the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), the only legal journalists union, came under GOT pressure shortly after releasing the union's annual report on press freedom in Tunisia. SNJT President Neji Bghouri reportedly tried for over an hour to present the SNJT's report on press freedom, which mildly criticized the GOT, during a conference on May 4, but was shouted down by pro-GOT journalists. According to journalist Lotfi Hajji and other attendees, the conference devolved into shoving between Bghouri and GOT supporters. Days afterwards, officials from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Communication were reportedly coercing journalists to sign a no-confidence petition regarding Bghouri's performance as SNJT president, threatening them with reprisals including the loss of their jobs if they refused. Independent groups have reported several similar incidents over the last few months, and they attribute the increased pressure to the GOT's desire to quash dissent in the run-up to presidential and legislative elections this fall. End Summary. -------------------------- Fighting for Press Freedom, Literally -------------------------- 2. (C) A May 4 press conference held by the National Syndicate for Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) devolved into a shoving match. The press conference was intended to introduce the SNJT's annual report on press freedom in Tunisia, a report which mildly rebuked the government for limits on press freedom and working conditions for journalists. According to journalist Lotfi Hajji, who works for al-Jazeera but who has never received QT press credentials, pro-GOT supporters shouted down SNJT President Neji Bghouri for over an hour. He and As-Sabah/BBC journalist Kamel Ben Younes eventually were seen pushing and shoving one another. Hajji said copies of the report were distributed to the press, but he did not think the SNJT would attempt to hold another conference. The incident is the latest in a string of problems between pro-GOT and independent forces within Tunisia's only legal journalists union. Internal disagreements escalated after the SNJT announced it would not endorse a presidential candidate. 3. (C) On May 7, reports surfaced that Ministry of the Interior (MOI) and Ministry of Communication (MOC) personnel were forcing journalists, including those of the Dar Assabah Group (recently bought by President Ben Ali's son-in-law, Sakhr Al-Matri) and Tunis Afrique Press Agency (the quasi-official news agency), to sign a petition declaring no-confidence in Bghouri's leadership of the SNJT. Journalists were reportedly threatened with reprisals including dismissal if they did not comply. According to Hajji, Bghouri's tenure as president lasts another year and a half. The only way to remove him is via an extraordinary congress. One way for this to happen would be if four of the SNJT's current board members resign, automatically triggering an extraordinary congress and new elections. Three board members have already attempted to resign, but the executive committee refused to acknowledge their resignations. Another option, however, would be to declare no-confidence in Bghouri's performance as SNJT president (the object of the petition). This would force a re-allocation of roles within the SNJT Executive Council. Bghouri would still be part of the council, but not president. Hajji speculated that the GOT would make things difficult for Bghouri because he criticized the government shortly before elections. -------------------------- Press Freedom -------------------------- 4. (C) Contemplating liberties in Tunisia in general, Hajji opined that while democratic countries may be able to work closely with authoritarian regimes, he did not feel these relationships were durable because an authoritarian regime can change its mind at any time for any reason. On the other hand, he said, democracies are durable regimes and have a history of cooperating with each other over the long term. He added that, in his opinion, the best thing foreign embassies in Tunisia can do is to publically support reformers. The visibility their attention brings provides some measure of protection to activists, and occasionally prompts a governmental response to concerns raised by civil society. Hajji said sustained contact with civil society, though meetings and conferences, as well as statements of support, are also helpful. As the former Secretary General of an unrecognized journalists' union, Hajji said he would have liked to work with the Middle East Partnership Initiative. Unfortunately, this was not possible as other members of his organization were reluctant to accept US funding because of American foreign policy in the Middle East. Though Hajji himself did not agree with this reasoning, he was unable to persuade the rest of the organization. -------------------------- Comment -------------------------- 5. (C) The reports emerging from the SNJT are consistent with other stories from opposition groups indicative of increased GOT pressure in the run up to the upcoming presidential and legislative elections. Domestic and international groups have pressed for genuine reforms prior to elections, including access to the media for opposition parties. The GOT's focus, meanwhile, seems to be on quelling criticism such as that contained in the SNJT report. Bghouri has surprised observers initially skeptical of his reformist credentials by emerging as a quietly but staunchly independent first president of SNJT. Certainly from the GOT's vantage point, Bghouri personifies the autonomous tendency of the organization; hence the attempts to reign him in. Bhgouri has dodged the bullet for now by refusing to acknowledge the resignations of the pro-GOT members on the board. Unless he can rally the majority of the SNJT membership to refuse to sign the no-confidence petition, however, his days as president are numbered. How the SNJT dispute plays out will have long term repercussions. Should the journalists' union lose its independent status, journalists would lose an advocate for better working conditions and freedom of information. End Comment. Godec |