IFJ supports October 17 media strike

"The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) supports the media strike announced for October 17, said IFJ President Jim Boumelha, adding that a representative of the federation will travel to Tunisia to attend the strike. During a visit paid Tuesday to the seat of "Dar Assabah," in company of a delegation from IFJ and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), Mr. Boumelha said he will prioritise this issue in his upcoming talks with members of the Tunisian Government. The federation will invite the Government to "begin a serious dialogue with journalists," he added. Deputy Secretary-General of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) responsible for youth, women and associations Samir Cheffi reiterated the unconditional support of the UGTT to the journalists of "Dar Assabah," expressing his rejection of "any attempt to control media and freedom of press." "The Government is called to take a wise decision to remedy this crisis and end tension in "Dar Assabah," said, on his part, Mr. Zied El Heni, Executive Committee member of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT).