English
Français
Restore immediately the freedoms of press and expression in Guinea
Alliance Guinea is deeply troubled by the Guinean authorities’ order forbidding all media coverage – including online media – of the attack against President Conde’s residence and also outlawing all political talk shows until further notice. This flagrant violation of Guineans’ constitutional right to free press and free expression is a huge setback in the country’s progress towards democracy. It is particularly disappointing that it comes from a newly elected president who was for decades the champion of the opposition voices in Guinea. We stand with the brave journalists and media operators in Guinea in our call for an immediate repeal of this order.
Alliance Guinea is heartened to hear that the National Communications Council (CNC) of Guinea has now lifted this media ban [http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20110728-conakry-leve-restrictions-imposees-medias] – no doubt in response to the universal outrage it caused both domestically and abroad, especially during President Conde’s ongoing state visit to Washington. At the same time, we remained concerned by the CNC’s language that the blackout was cancelled under the condition that “things do not get out of hand” (« à condition qu’il n’y ait pas de dérapage »). The freedoms of press and expression are the hallmarks of an open and democratic society and should be guaranteed, for all Guineans.
*******
Alliance Guinée se réjouit des nouvelles que le Conseil national de la communication (CNC) de Guinée a levé cette interdiction contre les médias [http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20110728-conakry-leve-restrictions-imposees-medias] – sans doute en réponse à l’indignation universelle qu’elle a occasionné en Guinée tant qu’à l’étranger, surtout pendant la visite d’état du président Condé à Washington. En même temps, nous demeurons préoccupés par le language du CNC disant que l’interdiction a été annulée à la condition «qu’il n’y ait pas de dérapage»). Les libertés de presse et d’expression constituent les caractéristiques d’une société ouverte et démocratique et doit être garanti, et pour tous les guinéens.