Sharing an interesting piece by a Tunisian Journalist at the BBC!
A.B.
Tunisia's turmoil: A BBC Arabic angle
A protester celebrates on the streets of Tunisia
BBC Arabic Service journalist Mounira Chaieb recounts her personal impressions while reporting on the anti-government protests in her home country Tunisia.
It was December 2010 and I had just come back from an end of year holiday. In no time, my country Tunisia was all over the news channels as protests were spreading from one city to the next like wildfire.
They were sparked by the death of one young man, who burnt himself alive in protest at a system that he felt deprived him of a job to support himself, his mother, his stepfather and five siblings, but also constantly humiliated him.
The case of 26-year-old graduate Mohammed Bouazizi resonated with many young unemployed men and women in Tunisia, many of which have degrees.
People from all walks of life took to the streets of every single corner of the country, first demanding jobs, then the end of corruption, inequality and the government they felt caused it all.
Haunting picture
Most media organisations did not expect events in Tunisia to develop as dramatically and quickly as they did.
BBC Arabic Service journalist Mounira Chaieb
I left Tunisia for the United Kingdom a few months before former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali took power in what was described as a 'bloodless coup' in 1987.
In all the years I lived in Tunisia, I had never seen anything like these massive protests.
The only demonstrations that the country witnessed since its independence in 1956, were when the then Prime Minister decided to double the price of bread in 1984. Thousands rioted and, within days, the government was forced to drop the price.
But these current riots, I thought, were much bigger and far more significant.
I watched while protesters threw stones at the security forces, the latter retaliating with live ammunition. I saw people falling to the ground covered in blood and their fellow protestors trying to carry them away, screaming for help.
One particular picture haunted me – some protesters fleeing while members of the security forces in civilian clothes were chasing them. A young man fell to the ground and was brutally attacked by those in pursuit.
Taboo subjects
Numerous clashes resulted in extensive damage on the streets in Tunisia
For days and nights, I was glued to the television watching developments unfold, while constantly calling my family to check that they were all safe.
I called my brothers and sisters many times and heard the loud noise of helicopters hovering in the background. My brothers told me that the neighbours had formed vigilante groups, arming themselves with sticks and metal bars to protect the area and its inhabitants.
Most media organisations did not expect events in Tunisia to develop as dramatically and as quickly as they did. In any case, no international broadcaster had a presence within Tunisia under President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali during his 23 years in power.
The government had only ever encouraged media coverage of what it proudly described as 'major economic achievements' and building a 'modern and efficient' infrastructure.
As for what many describe as its repression of any form of dissent and freedom of speech, with human rights abuses and the creation of an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, those were taboo subjects as far as the government was concerned.
Watching history unfold
The BBC, like all other major Arab and international broadcasters, could not report freely from within Tunisia.
So the only viable way of getting images of unrest and police brutality was what ordinary Tunisians posted on the internet.
Cyberspace was inundated with Twitter and Facebook posts since the uprising began on 17 December.
The messages spoke of aspirations for social and political justice, freedom of expression, democracy, pluralism and respect for human rights.
On Friday 14 January, I watched while history was made when it was reported that the President had stepped down and was leaving the country.
Overnight change
The military still maintains a high profile in Tunisia's towns and cities
I will never forget how the national TV station on that same night changed its name from Tunisia7 – after the date Ben Ali came to power on 7 November – to the Tunisian National Television.
And the change did not just include the name - some faces that were close to Ben Ali's regime suddenly disappeared and new faces appeared.
On that same night, the station hosted a live debate that questioned everything and everyone, including one of its main presenters.
Watching that and the subsequent fundamental changes in the media scene, it felt like a true revolution actually happened in my country of origin.
Read more in the BBC News Special Report: click Turmoil in Tunisia
Also on World Agenda
BBC World Service highlights
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 4:37 PM
To: ama.biney@yahoo.co.uk; dede.amanor-wilks@googlemail.com; aoturu@hotmail.com; anthonyakinola@yahoo.co.uk; Assensoh, Akwasi B.; kkamanga@uccmail.co.tz; kwesi7@btinternet.com
Subject: This is what I wrote for a BBC magazine
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