Private broadcaster Telvza TV halts transmission, accusing the state telecast office of harassment

Telvza TV said on July 20 that it was suspending its broadcasts until further notice. In a Facebook post, director-general Zouhir Latif accused the Office national de la télédiffusion (ONT): the state body that carries private channels: of a policy of "permanent harassment" and "blackmail", and said the presidency, the prime minister's office, the finance ministry, the communication technologies ministry and parliament had all failed to answer the channel or mediate. Neither the ONT nor the institutions named had responded publicly, and the channel did not say on what terms it would resume. The episode shows how a state-owned distribution monopoly gives the authorities leverage over what is left of Tunisia's private media.

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