freedom of the press

Tunisia's presidential election: "comical"

Sophie Team Observers — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:47:33 +0200

In the run up to Sunday's presidential election, the Tunisian minister of justice and foreign affairs told FRANCE 24 that democracy in the country is working. One of our Observers in Tunisia, who lives under police surveillance, reacts to what he says is a joke.

Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali has been re-elected president of Tunisia three times already since his first victory on November 7, 1987. While Tunisia enjoys a growth rate of 5%, efficient infrastructure, a healthy education system, and one of the best reputations for women's rights in the region, it seems that somewhere along the lines, freedom of speech got left behind.

A guest on FRANCE 24's Debate programme, Justice and Human Rights Minister Béchir Tekkari, said that the electoral system remained "fair, transparent and multi-party". However, Tunisia's ruling party, the Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD), keeps the country under a tight grip, regularly disposing of certain opposition members and censoring unfavourable media.

This year the country can celebrate a slight improvement in its international reputation. Reporters Without Borders ranked Ben Ali's Tunisia in 154^th place on their press freedom index, up 21 from last year when they came in last - 175^th.

Sarkozy a "poor cretin" – going too far?

Sophie Team Observers — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:43:11 +0200

This is the front page of today's French satirical magazine Sine Hebdo, a recently launched weekly. The caricature refers to last week's outrage in the foreign press after French President Nicolas Sarkozy was said to have insulted Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero. "Pauvre con" (poor cretin) is what Sarkozy called a farmer at an agricultural fair last February - another incident which didn't do much for his popularity ratings.

Is the magazine going too far? Will the Elysée react? Tell us what you think.

"‘Sarkozy poor cretin', it's not only the foreign press who think it!"

Ahmadinejad takes the Queen's throne on British TV

Sophie Team Observers — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:05:26 +0100

In an original take on Britain's traditional Christmas speech from the Queen, Britain's Channel 4 decided to ask Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to convey a message instead. Presented as an "alternative view" by the channel and received as an example of freedom of speech by many, the UK government, on the other hand, has condemned the speech.

Channel 4 watchers are used to receiving their Christmas message from unusual characters. In previous years the honour has been given to Brigitte Bardot, Marge Simpson and gay icon Quentin Crisp. But this year's choice from the major commercial channel caused so much trouble that it was moved to a different time slot than the Queen's, which is shown on other channels at 3pm. On Thursday the broadcast was condemned by Britain's Foreign Office, who said that it would "cause offence and bemusement not just at home but amongst friendly countries abroad".

Killed for filming police brutality on his mobile

Julien — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:52:26 +0100

When Wei Wenhu saw police forces beating up protesting villagers in Tianmen (central China), he took out his mobile and filmed the scene. But when he was spotted and tried to run away, he found himself being chased by around 20 police officers.

He cried that he would delete the photos and even give the policemen his phone. But it didn't make any difference. Wenhu was brutally beaten and succumbed to his injuries in hospital the same day, 7 January. The incident has outraged bloggers, whose online respects to this ‘citizen journalist' increase daily. Under pressure, the authorities have decided to undertake an investigation into the blunder, and have even fired the head of the city's police force.

In a country where the media is largely government controlled and heavily censored, images of police brutality usually find their way into the public eye on the internet. Here, some of those videos that the authorities would rather they didn't find their way out.

The Chinese press follows the 17th congress of the Chinese Communist Party

Julien — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:19:00 +0200

By Team Observers

The 17th congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) opened on 12 October. During the congress the representatives of the people must, in theory, appoint the next leaders of the country. However, in reality, they do nothing but ratify the decisions of the President and the Standing Committee. All the same, the Chinese media are required to follow the event closely, giving special attention to all information provided by the office of propaganda. This is clear when looking at images from the event.