TUNIS (Reuters) – Hundreds of journalists and technicians from Tunisia’s state-run television broadcaster have gone on strike over what they said was continued government censorship of their dispatches.
The strike reflects growing public frustration in North Africa’s most developed state over the sluggish pace of change since an uprising toppled President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali last month.
“We are on strike demanding an end to all the pressure and to stop the censorship, and to allow us to work freely … We will not accept restrictions any more,” one of the striking journalists told Reuters, asking not to be named.
“The strike will not stop until those responsible go and we can work freely and independently,” another said.
Tunisia’s First National Television channel remained on air yesterday, but without news dispatches after the workers went on strike from late on Friday.
Tunisia’s revolution inspired a similar revolt in Egypt and sparked riots elsewhere across the Arab world, including Libya.
But the interim government charged with setting elections to replace Ben Ali has been the target of growing protests for what critics say are its close ties to the former regime and its failure to follow through on reform promises.
