Tunisian authorities block publication of independent newspaper Kalima

Reporters Without Borders has accused the Tunisian authorities of blocking the development of any independent press in the country after journalist Sihem Bensedrine failed in attempt to register the weekly newspaper, Kalima.Bensedrine was turned away when she tried to open the registration process for the bi-lingual publication at the interior ministry on 13 January. "This latest unsuccessful attempt to publish the newspaper Kalima provides additional evidence of the Tunisian authorities determination to keep the press under control", said Robert Ménard, secretary general of the international press freedom organisation."President Ben Ali publicly declares his backing for freedom of information but deliberately prevents the creation of an independent press. Against this background, the holding of the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis in 2005 is a scandal," he added. This is the third time since 1999 that Bensedrine has attempted to deposit a 'preliminary statement' for Kalima at the interior ministry. A home-made version of the newspaper is published irregularly and distributed unofficially. Its Internet site, hosted abroad, is always blocked inside Tunisia. Anticipating a setback at the ministry, the journalist decided to invite witnesses to observe her request for registration. Kalima's editorial committee, her lawyer, a deputy and the president of the Tunisian Human Rights League, accompanied her. Yet again Bensedrine was able to show proof of President Ben Ali's refusal to liberalise the press in Tunisia, said Reporters Without Borders. Bensedrine was subjected to a particularly thorough search at Tunis airport on 14 January when she left for Germany. A copy of Kalima was confiscated as well as three CD-Roms containing personal data. She was victim of an assault on 5 January that she believes linked to her stand for freedom of expression in Tunisia