CPJ honors Naziha Rjiba

The Committee to Protect Journalists honored four journalists with its 2009 International Press Freedom Awards; Among the awardees was Naziha Réjiba,editor of the independent online news journal Kalima. She has been the target of continual government intimidation and harassment:
Her home is under constant surveillance, her phones are monitored, and she has been summoned for repeated police interrogations. “I am neither a hero nor a victim,” she told the crowd, “but a journalist who wishes to work under normal conditions. The degree of repression in Tunisia is such that it transforms normal activities into something exceptional.”

Here are Naziha Réjiba's prepared remarks for the International Press Freedom Awards ceremony:

Good Evening, I am very happy to be with you.

I would like to express my gratitude for your support of a free press in Tunisia.

I, of course, am delighted by this award, because it comes from a respected organization. It is a testament to the efforts and the courage of the men and women journalists of my country.

I am neither a hero nor a victim, but a journalist who wishes to work under normal conditions. The degree of repression in Tunisia is such that it transforms normal activities into something exceptional.

Numerous journalists are jailed and others have fled the country because of persecution.

Following our coverage of the recent electoral charade, a relentless and vicious campaign has been waged against us. Amongst us, there are those whose movements have been restricted; others have been beaten, abducted, subjected to politicized trials, imprisoned, or placed under constant surveillance.

If these measures fail to silence us, the government resorts to underhand tactics. In my case, as CPJ has documented, they fabricated a tape which claimed to show that my husband was unfaithful to me.

I would like to reassure you that I have gotten over the matter without the help of a shrink. I simply told myself that I am a strong and honorable woman, and that I have not put the political police in charge of watching over my husband’s fidelity. Their attempted trickery backfired.

As I speak to you now, my house is surrounded by plainclothes police, but I am nonetheless here to celebrate.

I am not being reckless, nor am I exceedingly brave. Rather, I do not see the point of dramatization.

There is a time for everything, and now is a time to be happy and to be honored...not just me, but also my colleagues and my country.

I am determined to enjoy this ceremony, leaving tomorrow’s work for tomorrow.

Again, my deepest thanks for this award.