Tunisia, Land of Passage

S01E06: Press freedom in danger

This episode is the last in this series. It is dedicated to press freedom. The interview with Walid Bourouis, a journalist in exile, was recorded before the security crackdown observed since early May. In Tunisia, arrests and repression of dissenting voices are intensifying, targeting sub-Saharan exiles and the associations that support them. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned the intimidation and harassment of lawyers and journalists critical of the regime, such as Saadia Mosbah, an anti-racism activist. Tunisia has dropped to 118th out of 180 in RSF's World Press Freedom Index, losing 48 places in two years. RSF attributes this collapse to Kaïs Saïed's authoritarian drift. Between May 2022 and April 2023, 257 journalists were attacked, and 80 are currently being prosecuted, according to the Tunisian National Journalists' Union. Journalist - Eléonore Plé Production - Specto Média Sound production - Charlotte Glorieux Original idea, execution, production, and post-production by Specto Média. Translation, production of articles, and profiles by aidóni.

S01E05: Whatever the cost

Spotlight on French and European funding in Tunisia. Is migration cooperation at the expense of human rights? In this episode, we hear from Sophie Duval, former advocacy officer at the NGO CCFD Terre Solidaire, who sheds light on the funding directed towards Tunisia. Through the projects and increasing amounts since 2015, it seems that the EU and its member states, including France, are particularly keen to continue their support for migration matters unconditionally. Journalist: Eléonore Plé  Director: Charlotte Glorieux  Production: Specto Média Original idea, execution, production, and post-production by Specto Média. Translation, production of articles, and profiles by aidóni.

S01E04: "The largest graveyard in the world."

"30,000 deaths, that's 30,000 deaths recorded in the Mediterranean since 2014, making it the largest graveyard in the world for those in exile. Sadly, this figure is likely much higher. Tunisia, along with Libya, is the main departure point for thousands of exiled people seeking to reach Europe. The nearest Italian shores, including the island of Lampedusa, are less than 150 km from the Sfax region. Throughout the year 2023, the number of individuals intercepted by Tunisian authorities reached 70,000, more than double compared to the same period the previous year, according to the spokesperson for the National Guard. In detail, over 54,000 individuals were foreign nationals, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, and the remaining were Tunisians, over 15,000. In this episode, we hear from Tunisians eager to leave their country, from those fighting to uncover the truth about a missing relative, and from exiles who have taken to the sea, recounting the horror of the journey. Journalist: Eléonore Plé Sound Production: Norma Suzanne Original Composition: Norma Suzanne Production: Specto Média" Original idea, execution, production, and post-production by Specto Média.Translation, production of articles, and profiles by aidóni.

S01E03: The authoritarian drift of Kaïs Saïed

The Tunisian Revolution took place in 2011. In just 28 days, the Tunisians rid themselves of the dictator, Ben Ali. It was 28 days of protest and repression. On Friday, December 17, 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old street vendor of fruits and vegetables, set himself on fire in front of the governor's office in Sidi Bouzid, a city of 40,000 inhabitants in central Tunisia. Unbeknownst to him, this act by a young man, vulnerable to a corrupt administration that regularly confiscated or destroyed his means of livelihood, sparked a widespread movement. Between December 2010 and January 2011, we all followed from a distance as this revolution unfolded on our computer screens, so significant were social media in this liberating movement. What happened in the aftermath of the revolution? In this episode, we will analyze the authoritarian drift of Kaïs Saïed and his migration policy. Guest: Hatem Nafti Production: Specto Média Journalist: Eléonore Plé English dubbed version : Isobel Cohen, Méline Laffabry, Rogerio Simoes Sound Production: Norma Suzanne Original idea, execution, production, and post-production by Specto Média.Translation, production of articles, and profiles by aidóni.

S01E02: Immersion at the Tunisian-Algerian border

In this second episode of our series "Tunisia, Land of Passage," Eléonore, the founder of Specto, travels to the Tunisian-Algerian border. There, she meets individuals in exile and a smuggler for an exclusive interview. Directed by: Eléonore Plé Sound Production: Norma Suzanne Graphic Design: Baptiste Cazaubon and Amandine Beghoul Production: Specto Média Original idea, execution, production, and post-production by Specto Média.Translation, production of articles, and profiles by aidóni.