Tunisian opposition kept out of the election campaign

Tunisia goes to the polls today but it appears that the election campaign has proved impossible for the opposition media to get their point across.

Reporters Without Borders, have been to the country in the week before the election and report that

Pluralism in news is still not a reality in Tunisia. It is unfortunately particularly true in an election campaign. President Ben Ali is splashed on the front pages of newspapers that are tireless in his praise. The columns of the state-run and pro-government newspapers are brimming with messages of congratulations and support for the candidate-president. The same goes for television and radio. Unfavourable opinions of the head of state are largely absent from media and Tunisians do not have access to balanced news and information”,

President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, currently serving a fourth term after amending the constitution in 2004 to permit his candidacy,pledged that the elections will be held in a transparent, democratic manner.

However at CPJ reports

authorities barred Florence Beaugé, a Le Monde correspondent, from entering the country after she arrived at the Tunis-Carthage International Airport, according to news reports. After spending the night at an airport terminal under tight police surveillance, she was put on flight back to Paris. No official explanation was given.