Sihem Bensedrine, from OLPEC (National Council for Tunisian Freedom) believes that holding the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS),in her country in November 2005, will help Tunisian people realise the importance of their right to communicate. It will also encourage work for changes in the communication field in our country, she added.

In a panel discussion on communication rights organised by the CRIS (Communication Rights in the Information Society) Network as part of the ongoing World Social Forum, Sihem Bensedrine, described the communication rights violations in Tunisia. According to her, media is subjected to harsh censorship and some journalists are sent to jail if they hold opinions different from those of the people in power.

Bensedrine explained that since 1991, when the present regime came to power, all independent newspapers have closed and freedom of association is banned. Even Internet forums have been prohibited and one webmaster was put in jail because he moderated an unauthorised online forum. All public media are strictly controlled, including two private companies, a radio and a TV station, that belong to the police and the family in power. "People outside Tunisia believe this is a democratic country. But most Western governments know it is not, though they still support the Tunisian regime", said Bensedrine. Access to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch websites is denied. There is also a special police squad that controls citizens' electronic mail.

Because of this situation, many non-governmental organisations ask themselves if it is worth attending the Summit, because they do not want to see themselves as supporting the regime. But Bensedrine believes that the organisation of the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunisia in November will enlighten Tunisian people and make them aware of their right to communicate. This will consequently encourage work for substantive changes in this field, she added.

Daphne Plou, Association for Progressive Communication - 27 January 2005