This is what happens when people in power feel threatened.
Even after promising freedom of expression last week, Tunisia’s interim government took the predictable step Monday of closing the largest privately owned TV channel. Can you guess that the channel, Hannibal TV, was carrying messages critical of the direction of the caretaker government?
Here is a report from The New York Times. And another from Reuters-Africa that reports that the owner of the TV channel has been arrested for treason. The government says Hannibal TV was not supporting the revolt and was, in fact, obscuring things. Which makes us wonder: To whom was the channel showing treason? To the people in power in the interim government or to the protesters in the street who are objecting to the make-up of the interim government?
Given that the TV channel was about to interview a major critic of the old government — and he was not fond of the chemistry of the interim government — we can guess why the owner was arrested and the station shut down.
Tags: Hannibal TV, Tunisia
Glenn Scott
