U.S. says Tunisia TV fine raises freedom concerns
The United States expressed concern on Thursday at a Tunisian court's ruling against a television station owner in a blasphemy row, saying it raised concerns about free expression after last year's revolution ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/U-S-says-Tunisi...
Nabil Karoui, head of private television station Nessma, was fined 2,400 dinars (958.33 pounds) for broadcasting the award-winning animated film "Persepolis" which, the court found, was an attack on moral values and a risk to public order? Reuters reported,
His two colleagues Hedi Boughenim in charge of the viewing unit and Nadia Jamel head of the "Children's Voice " Association who translated the film into Tunisian dialect 1.200 dinars each, TAP reported.
"I am concerned and disappointed by this conviction for Nessma television's broadcast of an animated film previously approved for distribution by the Tunisian government," U.S. ambassador Gordon Gray said in a statement.
"His conviction raises serious concerns about tolerance and freedom of expression in the new Tunisia. We understand that Mr. Karoui has the right to appeal his conviction, and we hope this case will be resolved in a manner which guarantees free expression, a basic right denied to Tunisians during the Ben Ali era."
The film, about a girl growing up in Iran, includes a scene depicting God, which is forbidden in Islam. Its airing outraged some conservative Salafi Islamists who attacked the station.
Karoui was subsequently sued by private citizens and his home was attacked and there have beencontinual demonstrations outside Nessma TV.
There is a clear divide between secularists and salafist islamist on the issue of freedom of expression and the increasing use of violence by the islamist groups against those they do not agree with goes unchecked.
Speaking in January at the opening of his hearing, Karoui said: “I am sorry to be here today, this is a political trial.
“It’s the trial of 10 million Tunisians who dreamed of having a democratic country,” he added, according to Al Arabiya.
Commentators point out that the film was shown previously in Tunisia on TV at least five times before the revolution.
His two colleagues Hedi Boughenim in charge of the viewing unit and Nadia Jamel head of the "Children's Voice " Association who translated the film into Tunisian dialect 1.200 dinars each, TAP reported.
"I am concerned and disappointed by this conviction for Nessma television's broadcast of an animated film previously approved for distribution by the Tunisian government," U.S. ambassador Gordon Gray said in a statement.
"His conviction raises serious concerns about tolerance and freedom of expression in the new Tunisia. We understand that Mr. Karoui has the right to appeal his conviction, and we hope this case will be resolved in a manner which guarantees free expression, a basic right denied to Tunisians during the Ben Ali era."
The film, about a girl growing up in Iran, includes a scene depicting God, which is forbidden in Islam. Its airing outraged some conservative Salafi Islamists who attacked the station.
Karoui was subsequently sued by private citizens and his home was attacked and there have beencontinual demonstrations outside Nessma TV.
There is a clear divide between secularists and salafist islamist on the issue of freedom of expression and the increasing use of violence by the islamist groups against those they do not agree with goes unchecked.
Speaking in January at the opening of his hearing, Karoui said: “I am sorry to be here today, this is a political trial.
“It’s the trial of 10 million Tunisians who dreamed of having a democratic country,” he added, according to Al Arabiya.
Commentators point out that the film was shown previously in Tunisia on TV at least five times before the revolution.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/U-S-says-Tunisi...