The climate of journalistic freedoms in Guinea continues to deteriorate. A new peaceful demonstration organized by press defense organizations was violently repressed by the police in Conakry, the Guinean capital. Thirteen journalists were arrested and detained for several hours before being released at the end of the day. This repression raises strong criticism and concerns about respect for press freedom in the country.
According to testimonies, the peaceful march aimed to denounce the blocking of the Guinea Matin news site. However, the police quickly dispersed the demonstration, using tear gas and physical violence against the demonstrators. The situation was particularly intense, with some journalists being subjected to violence and others brutally pushed back.
This new burst of repression sparked reactions from press defense organizations. The Union of Press Professionals of Guinea (SPPG) strongly condemned these brutal arrests, highlighting the serious attack on press freedom, which is nevertheless enshrined in the charter of the transition in Guinea. The arrested journalists were released at the end of the day, but they will face charges of “illegal assembly” in court next week.
This new repression once again highlights the challenges facing journalists in Guinea. Press freedom is essential for the proper functioning of a democracy, and its restriction endangers citizens’ right to free and independent information. It is imperative that the transitional authorities in Guinea guarantee press freedom and put an end to all forms of repression against journalists. The international community must also condemn these violations of fundamental rights and support press organizations in their fight for freedom of expression and information.