Tunisian security forces storm private TV station

Tunisian security forces stormed the offices of a Nessma TV, a private television station and put it off the air over accusations it had breached broadcasting rules,

The security forces stormed the headquarters of Nessma television, switched off its transmissions and seized equipment in what the channel called an attempt to silence its voice criticizing the government.

The channel’s website said it was being punished for its criticism of the government and coverage of anti-government protests.

The move followed a ruling by broadcasting regulator HAICA, which revoked the channel’s licence last year.

The HAICA had fined the channel for broadcasts the body described as exploiting poor people and promoting the political agenda of the channel’s owner, businessman Nabil Karoui.

The channel rejected the fines and said it did not recognise the rulings, which it said were motivated by criticism of the government.

Via Euronews