Niger: National Press Freedom Day under the theme, accountability in governance, role and responsibility of the media

Niger celebrated, this Wednesday November 30, 2022 at the Maison de la Presse, the 9th edition of the national day of press freedom, under the theme: accountability in governance, role and responsibility of the media.

The ceremony was opened by the President of the Superior Council of Communication, Sani Kabir, in the presence of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication in charge of relations with institutions, Abdoulaye Coulibaly, the Vice President of the CNDH, the American Under Secretary of State for Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Elisabeth Ménard, and the President of the National Council for the Promotion of Human Rights.The ceremony was attended by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication in charge of relations with institutions, Abdoulaye Coulibaly, the Vice President of the CNDH, the American Under Secretary of State for Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Elisabeth M. Allen. Allen.

In his speech, Dr. Sani Kabir stated that "for this accountability to be useful, it must have as a reference point and as a compass the respect of ethics and professional conduct".

It is necessary that the government, the CSC and all media actors give life and hope to the collective agreement signed a year ago, he said, adding that "in relation to the fund to support the press we are still in this dynamic, we have always tried We have always tried with the ministry to convince the government that it is necessary to raise this fund, even if it is not the lowest in the sub-region, but in view of the concerns of press enterprises, it deserves to be raised accordingly.''

Speaking on this occasion, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication, Mr. Abdoulaye Coulibaly said that ''the commemoration of this day comes after the adoption, as you know, recently by the government of the law rectifying the one on reThe commemoration of this day comes after the recent adoption by the government of the law rectifying the law on cybercrime, now this new law decriminalizes the offenses related to insult and distortion.Also this law is in harmony with the provisions of the ordinance of June 4, 2010 on the regime of freedom of the press, he said.

''We have carefully followed the list of your grievances and have taken note, we can assure you that the government continues to analyze them with all the attention and sincerity required and that it will address them.We can assure you that the government continues to analyze them with all the attention and sincerity required and that it will provide the appropriate responses in due course for the development of the press in our country,'' he reassured.

And Coulibaly announced that "under the impetus of the President of the Republic Mohamed Bazoum, a fervent defender of press freedom, the government will continue of the press, the government will continue its efforts to strengthen press freedom as reaffirmed by Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou in the general policy statement.

For her part, the U.S. Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy, Elizabeth M. Allen welcomed this commemoration of Niger's Press Freedom Day while thanking, on behalf of the U.S. government, all journalists here and across Niger - as wellA free press is a bulwark of peace and stability," she said.

A free press is the bulwark of a democratic society, she stressed, adding that "we therefore rely on a hardworking and responsible press corps that publishes information in a way that protects and enhances press freedom. Journalists who uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethics, who do not report false news, who accept responsibility for accurate reporting, and who are transparent and impartial are essential to achieving this goal. We remain, as always, a partner in this vital effort."

Recently, the U.S. Embassy awarded a $210,000 grant for a project to promote investigative journalism in Niger, fight corruption and promote transparency. The objective of this project is to identify and train about 50 journalists in investigative reporting and journalistic ethics, notes

. Ibrahim Harouna has for his part recalled the eminently important role of public service that the media play in the promotion, defense and entrenchment of democracy," stressing that "In addition to the mission of informing, educating, sensitizing and distracting the public, the media is also a key element in the promotion of democracy.In addition to the mission of informing, educating, sensitizing and entertaining the masses on any issue or concern of community interest, the media are at the forefront of the entrenchment of democracy, the promotion of fundamental freedoms and the defense of human rights.

"The economic situation of the Nigerien media remains very precarious. The Covid-19 pandemic that has severely affected the Nigerien media has finally convinced us of the fragility of our organs. At the height of this health crisis, and at a time when the State was supporting sectors of activity to cope with the adverse effects of Covid19," said the association leader.

And the President of the press house to continue "Whether they are print or online, radio or television, our media outlets stagnate in a total precariousness. Not having access to the publicity of the State and its dismemberments in spite of the existence of a decree on the matter, the Nigerien media, in particular thedias in Niger, especially those of the private sector, operate from day to day, struggling to meet the costs inherent in their daily operations.

"The state of press freedom is still not brilliant in Niger. Even if the Press House is pleased that its advocacy for the revision of the cybercrime law has produced effects, the latter still remains an obstacle to press freedom," added Mr. Ibrahim. Ibrahim pleading for the increase of the envelope of the fund to support the press, access to advertising of the State and its dismemberments, and the creation of an independent press.State and its dismemberments, the adoption of preferential rates on electricity, telephone and internet.

After this session, the officials present visited the exhibition stands of the media set up for the occasion. The ceremony was crowned by the awarding of prizes to the various winners of the two competitions organized by the Press House and the Ministry of Communication in partnership with UNICEF.

Source: news.aniamey.com