Police assault and ban on Aljazeera correspondent in Tunisia

The International Federation of Journalists yesterday protested over the

exclusion of a journalist and union leader from reporting on a major

political event in Tunisia.

"This action smacks of the censorship and intimidation which is regrettably

a notorious feature of policy in dealing with independent media and

dissident journalists," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.

The case involves Lotfi Hajji, the local correspondent for Aljazeera who is

also President of the Tunisian Union of Journalists. The IFJ says it is the

fifth time in the last month that he has been barred from reporting events.

The latest incident occurred when he turned up to cover a meeting organized

by the Parti Progressiste Democratique in their new building situated in

Ariana district just north of Tunis. His entrance into the building was

blocked by police in plain clothes who roughed him up as he tried to enter.

This was the fifth time in the last month that he has been prevented from

covering different events by police.

"There is a pattern of intimidation here that is completely unacceptable,"

said White. "This journalist is being targeted either for his professional

work or for his leadership of an independent journalists' group - and

perhaps for both."

The IFJ, represents over 500,000 journalists worldwide, has asked the Association of Tunisian Journalists to take up the case and to seek an assurance from the authorities that Aljazeera and other media will be able to work without interference.