The media landscape in Guinea has marked a significant milestone with the establishment of the Federation of Private Press Associations of Guinea (FEPAP-GUI). On October 8, 2026, delegates gathered at a hotel in Conakry for the constitutive general assembly, where Amadou Tham Camara was elected as the president of the executive bureau. Out of 36 expected congressists, 30 attended and unanimously endorsed Camara's election. Camara, also the president of the Guinean Press Association (AGUIPEL), is expected to lead the private press sector in the country.
The opening ceremony was attended by various institutional representatives and regulators, who acknowledged the challenges faced by the private press in Guinea. The Minister of Employment, Labor, and Social Protection, Ramatoulaye Camara, emphasized the dual role of the media, both as a source of information and as a business entity. She stressed the need to protect the rights of journalists and ensure a dignified working environment for them. The minister also highlighted the importance of collective action to address the challenges faced by the media sector.
Adèle Camara, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Communication, Economy, and Innovation, underscored the crucial issue of the economic viability of press organs. She emphasized the need for diversification of revenue, adaptation of economic models, digital transformation, training, and access to financing mechanisms to enable the media to develop sustainably while preserving editorial independence. Camara also called for the relaunch of social dialogue and the finalization of the collective agreement for the press sector.
Boubacar Yacine Diallo, President of the High Authority of Communication (HAC), advocated for a rigorous and responsible approach to journalism. He criticized the current state of the profession, where individuals can easily become "patrons" with just a phone and internet connection. Diallo emphasized the need for journalists to be modest, discreet, and exigent, and to exercise their rights with responsibility and discernment.
Ansoumane Kaba, President of the General Confederation of Guinean Enterprises (CGEG), welcomed the creation of FEPAP-GUI as a strong signal for the private sector. He noted that the ceremony marked a significant step towards the organization of the private press sector and the representation of its interests. Kaba expressed hope that FEPAP-GUI would contribute to the development of a competitive and job-creating sector.
The newly formed executive bureau of FEPAP-GUI consists of 11 members, elected consensually by the delegates. Amadou Tham Camara was elected as the president, with Aboubacar Camara, Kadiatou Conté, Bachir Sylla, and others taking on various roles. The bureau is expected to represent the interests of private press enterprises and contribute to the development of the sector.
The establishment of FEPAP-GUI and the election of Amadou Tham Camara as its president mark a significant milestone for the private press sector in Guinea. The sector is expected to benefit from a unified representation and a stronger voice in advocating for its interests and addressing the challenges it faces.
Key points
- Amadou Tham Camara elected as president of FEPAP-GUI
- FEPAP-GUI aims to promote the interests of private press enterprises in Guinea
- The sector faces challenges related to economic viability, working conditions, and regulation
