Carthage — Prime Minister-designate Ali Larayedh has pledged to activate decree laws 115 and 116, set up the High Independent Audiovisual Communication Authority (HAICA) and create an independent commission tasked with press card allocation, said President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) Nejiba Hamrouni.

Hamrouni, speaking following her meeting with Ali Larayedh Wednesday in Dar Dhiafa, Carthage, said the legal vacuum resulting from the absence of such a regulatory body, in reference to HAICA, potentially accounts for disorder on the media landscape.

She cited examples of abuse, such as dismissal of journalists, shutting down of some media companies or the creation of others without proper legal authorisation.

On the delay in the announcement of the line-up of HAICA, she noted that parties of the Troika are seeking to politicise this authority by imposing names, in violation of provisions of the decree 116 which prohibits parties from interfering in the sector.

Hamrouni also highlighted that the SNJT upholds its candidates Rachida Neifar and Hichem Snoussi, who have been selected according to "agreed standards," she specified, saying to be surprised at the reservations expressed by the parties of the Troika about these people.