Tunis - Presidential candidate of the Popular Front (PF) Hamma Hammami learnt about the concerns of journalists and media professionals in Tunisia at a meeting held Wednesday in Tunis.
The improvement of the situation of journalists and speeding up media reform by taking into account the organisational and legal components were among the major concerns reviewed during the meeting.
Journalists present at the meeting called for taking needed measures to ensure freedom of expression enabling them to discharge their mission without any intimidation.
Accompanied by director of his presidential campaign Riadh Ben Fadhl and spokesman for the campaign Ahmed Seddik, candidate Hamma Hammami said freedom of press and expression is the pillar of freedom and democracy.
« I much prefer a rather free and imperfect press rather than a credible but controlled press, » he argued, adding that shortcomings can be addressed.
Freedom of the press is one of the main points of the Popular Front's platform, he said, adding that the President of the Republic as stated in the new Constitution is the guarantor of freedom of press and expression. He is also the guarantor of the independence of the sector which, he said, is strategic and vital.
Hamma Hammami wished to see the Tunisian media have an efficient power of control to defend democracy and human rights.
The presidential candidate called for the institutionalisation of press freedom in Tunisia and enacting laws stating the rights and duties of media professionals and the establishment of a clear strategy to upgrade the sector, stressing the need to ensure that the reform be brought by professionals themselves.
Hamma Hammami pledged to be a « staunch defender » of journalists, creators and intellectuals.
© Tunis-Afrique Presse 2014
