By Diana
Moukalled
27 April
2016
Those
following the situation of the Arab press cannot but lament it. Those able to
practice real journalism can now be described as courageous.
Given the
reality of journalism’s links to an authority - whether a regime, or a
religious or political power - criticism becomes mostly directed at this
authority’s rivals. This has turned many Arab media outlets into platforms for
mobilization and incitement.
What
increased this role is current sectarian and political polarization, which has
narrowed professional and critical spaces. The feeble contribution of Arab
journalism to the Panama Papers, or to documents in the New Yorker exposing the
Syrian regime’s crimes, highlights the weakness of the Arab press. In addition
to censorship, it is suffering on the security and financial levels.
However,
amid this bleak reality, Tunisia has made a remarkable improvement in Reporters
without Borders’ press-freedom index - the first Arab country to do so. This at
a time when some Arab countries are imprisoning, murdering and torturing
journalists.
This
progress is to be added to Tunisia’s record as the only success story of the
Arab Spring, since its revolution did not result in civil war or bitter
struggle, as happened in Syria, Egypt, Yemen and Libya.
Tunisia’s
progress still far from resembles Western standards, but it is a positive
breakthrough in the Arab world and must be acknowledged
Vigilance
Tunisia’s
progress still far from resembles Western standards, but it is a positive
breakthrough in the Arab world and must be acknowledged. Admiring what Tunisia
has accomplished does not mean ignoring fears that some powerful parties may
seek to dominate or restrain the media, as there are past and ongoing attempts
to do so. The battle for press freedom in the country has not ended.
The
development of technology and the spread of citizen journalism have resulted in
the rise of critical public opinion. However, the authorities - under the
excuse of security and national interests - are now more violent against those who
represent independent journalism. What Tunisia has achieved instils enthusiasm
and hope for an end to dependence on money and power. Let us keep this torch
burning.
Source:
english.alarabiya.net/en/views/2016/04/27/On-Arab-press-freedom-Tunisia-shows-the-way-.html
URL: http://www.newageislam.com/islam-and-the-media/diana-moukalled/on-arab-press-freedom,-tunisia-shows-the-way/d/107128