** The forum on the future of the press in Guinea: between hope and uncertainty **
This Monday, May 19, 2025, the High Authority for Communication (HAC) in Guinea invites various players in the media sector to participate in a “forum on the future of the press”. This forum turns out to be crucial, because it arises as an answer to the pressing challenges that the Guinean press faces, especially after the deadlock imposed by the government on several private audiovisual media. According to the HAC press release, the objective of this meeting is to generate recommendations to guarantee a journalism exercise that is both free and responsible.
The current media situation in Guinea is marked by severe restrictions. It should be noted that one year has passed since the government’s decision to withdraw the dissemination approvals by three of the main private audiovisual media: FIM, Espace and Djoma. This raises questions about the diversity of opinion and freedom of expression in an already fragile political context, especially when the country is preparing for important elections in 2025.
The consequences of this restriction are not only measured in terms of access to information, but they can also compromise the electoral process itself. Sékou Jamal Pendessa, Secretary General of the Guinea Press Professionals Union (SPPG), insistently recalls that without independent media, the possibility of articulating a credible and transparent electoral process remains highly uncertain. This observation highlights the very essence of a functional democracy: the capacity of citizens to receive diversified information in order to make enlightened choices.
Another worrying element lies in the security situation of journalists, illustrated by the case of Habib Marouane Camara, director of the Fatshimetric newspaper, always missing after a kidnapping by gendarmes in December 2024. This type of violence against journalists is symptomatic of a hostile climate which can dissuade media professionals from paying their information role. In this regard, the physical and legal security of journalists becomes an essential requirement for the proper functioning of democratic institutions.
The government’s response to these critical challenges will be decisive. The expectations expressed by actors in the sector during this forum highlight an urgent need to restore the rights of the assigned media and guarantee the security of journalists. This reveals a desire to establish a framework more conducive to a constructive dialogue between the authorities and the media, which remains desirable in such tumultuous times.
Federators or divisives, social networks and new communication platforms also bring their share of challenges to the traditional press. They create new dynamics and can sometimes blur the tracks of information. The question of ethics and responsibility in the dissemination of information then arises acutely, strengthening the need for regulatory supervision which does not however hinder the free movement of ideas.
In parallel, awareness and training initiatives for journalists could prove beneficial to strengthen professionalism within an already proven sector. By promoting an ethical approach, these efforts could help restore confidence between the public and the media, a condition sine qua not to the advent of a dynamic and enlightened press.
In summary, the forum within the HAC represents a precious opportunity for reflection and dialogue. However, outings will only be successful if concrete actions in favor of the media, freedom of expression and the security of journalists result from it. This moment could be an opportunity, provided that it is accompanied by a clear political will and a real commitment to democracy and living together in Guinea. In the end, it is a question of questioning: how will we manage to guarantee free journalism, not only as an ideal, but as a tangible reality for each Guinean and each Guinean?