Tunis — A conference given on Tuesday by Mr Oussama Romdhani, Acting Minister in Charge of Communication and Relations with the Chamber of Deputies and the Chamber of Advisors, stressed the importance Tunisia gives to associating young people to the country's media and communication networks.

In his conference entitled "Youth and the global media landscape", Mr Romdhani stressed the pertinence of President Ben Ali's prospective approach to the Tunisian media scene, noting that the presidential vision anticipated the changes that occurred on the global media scene and notably the boom witnessed by satellite channels and the internet. The Minister was addressing the winter university of RCD young cadres in Sousse.

Mr Romdhani said that over the past 20 years, Tunisian youth has been the focus of various radio and television programs, adding that Tunisia was one of the first countries in the region to open up to satellite reception and to encourage the widespread use of the internet.

Evoking the results of a recent youth consultation, Mr Romdhani highlighted the fact that 76% of young people consulted expressed the view that it is necessary to adhere to globalisation and that 99% are open to others and ready to communicate with them.

He also stressed the number of internet users which currently amounts to some 3 people against 1 million 600 thousand in 2007, adding that young people are among the main beneficiaries of the opportunities and technological progress achieved in terms of broadband capacity increase.

The Presidential Program "Together We Meet Challenges" illustrates the trust placed in young people in mastering new technologies and using electronic networks to engage in scientific research, he said.

The program also encourages the production of digital contents which anchor among young people the sense of belonging to a rich civilisation, as testified by the 10,000 dinar grant given to the best associative interactive website which develops contents promoting Tunisian culture and heritage, focusing on national concerns.

The Minister highlighted the strong adherence of Tunisia's youth to the principles of the Change, as well as the value of moderation and their opposition to detractors and those who spread fallacious allegations.

He further stressed the full support of Tunisia's youth to President Ben Ali's candidacy as shown by the massive contribution of young people to the electoral campaign through the use of electronic messaging and other digital supports.