ROG strongly criticizes detention of Tunisian media representative
The organization Reporters Without Borders has called for the immediate release of the managing director of a Tunisian newspaper. The newspaper had printed a nude photo of a German model and a footballer of Tunisian origin on its front page.
Reporters Without Borders called on the government in Tunis on Saturday to stand up for the protection of the media. According to the organization, Nasreddine Ben Saida is facing a prison sentence of between six months and five years as well as a fine. He went on hunger strike in protest. Ben Saida's newspaper Ettounsia printed a photo of German model Lena Gercke with her boyfriend Khedira last week. Gercke, who won the first season of the show "Germany's Next Topmodel" in 2006, can be seen revealing herself in the photo. The German national soccer player Khedira has Tunisian roots.
Following the publication of the picture in Ettounsia, the managing director, the editor-in-chief and a journalist were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly "endangering public morals" and questioned by an investigating judge. While the two other employees of his newspaper were released, an arrest warrant was issued for the managing director.
Ben Saida is the first media representative to be imprisoned since the fall of former ruler Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, according to Reporters Without Borders. The organization accused the Tunisian judiciary of "hypocrisy", as similar photos can regularly be seen on the front pages of foreign magazines, which are also available to buy in Tunisia. According to a journalist from Ettounsia, he went on hunger strike on Saturday to protest against his imprisonment. The entire editorial team plans to take part in the protest action from Monday and will also refuse to eat if Ben Saida is not released by then.
Journalists' unions also criticized the actions of the judiciary in connection with the revealing photo of Gercke and Khedira as "illegal" and "politically motivated". Justice Minister Noureddine Bhiri, on the other hand, urged the media on the radio to remain neutral. The judges are competent and are only subject to the law and their conscience, he said. (SDA/AFP)
