Recently launched papers still deprived from public advertising

Receiving Chairman of the National Authority for Information and Communication Reform (NAICR) Kamel Laabidi, Caretaker President Foued Mebazaa expressed consideration for the Authority's work at this critical stage. Mr. Kamel Laabidi said, after the meeting, that he had told the interim President that the Authority had started preparing its final report that would comprise a set of recommendations meant to "reform the media so that they meet international standards in matters of freedom of speech." He expressed satisfaction at the promulgation of two decree-laws related to the Press, Publishing and Printing Code, and the creation of an independent higher authority for the audio-visual communication. Mr. Laabidi expressed hope that they will be enforced in the shortest terms to close the legislative gap, particularly in the area of audio-visual information, and avoid some mistakes and excesses recorded in the recent period. NAICR chairman added that emphasis had also been placed on the current problems of the information sector, particularly regarding the recently started private newspapers which are still deprived from public advertising, as well as the obstacles faced by executives appointed at the head of press institutions that belonged before January 14 to relatives of the ousted president.