Tunisian journalists go on strike

Tunisian journalists went on strike on Wednesday to protest against what they believe is an attempt by the government, dominated by the Islamist party Ennahda, to control the editorial policy of public media groups.

Dozens of journalists gathered outside the headquarters of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) in Tunis and chanted anti-government slogans. "Free press" and "Don't touch the public media" could be read on some of the banners.

Journalists working for Essabah and Le Temps, two Tunisian newspapers belonging to the Dar Assabah press group, also took part in the demonstration. They protested the appointment of Lofti Touati at the head of the group by the government. Touati is the former editor of a publication journalists consider close to Ennahda.

The Dar Assabah press group fell under the control of the state after the Tunisian revolution in 2011.

Other media also took part in the strike, including the Tunisian public radio, which posted the following slogan on its website "General strike by journalists: the freedom of the press and the rights of citizens."