On October 8, 2026, the Federation of Private Press Associations of Guinea (FEPAP-GUI) held its constitutive general assembly in Conakry, Guinea. Amadou Tham Camara was elected president of the new organization by acclamation. The FEPAP-GUI aims to represent the collective interests of private press enterprises before government authorities, social partners, and national and international institutions. The new federation is composed of nine members.
In his inaugural speech, President Amadou Tham Camara emphasized the importance of responsibility, professionalism, solidarity, and economic viability for press enterprises. He expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the restructuring of the private press sector, including the Confederation of Guinean Enterprises (CGEG), the High Authority of Communication, the General Labor Inspection, and the Ministry of Communication.
President Camara highlighted the need for the different professional organizations to put aside their differences and defend common interests. He stressed that the creation of the FEPAP-GUI does not imply a renunciation of diversity but rather a transformation of diversity into strength. According to him, this union is crucial in the current context, where the Guinean press must undertake its own transformation.
The new president emphasized that the refoundation of the press sector should not be misconstrued as a challenge to pluralism or editorial freedom. Instead, it aims to promote greater responsibility, professionalism, solidarity, and structuring. President Camara also underscored the importance of economically viable press enterprises, stating that the defense of press freedom also involves consolidating the enterprises that support it.
President Camara called for a change in perception regarding media outlets as economic actors, stating that press enterprises are not just any enterprises but are essential to a functioning democracy. The FEPAP-GUI intends to advocate for an adapted fiscal and economic environment, greater transparency in the public advertising market, and better access to financing and markets for press enterprises.
On the social front, President Camara reassured workers and their representatives that the creation of the FEPAP-GUI does not undermine the prerogatives of trade unions. He announced that the signature of the collective agreement for the press sector is a priority for his team. The FEPAP-GUI aims to make social dialogue a pillar of its action, seeking a balance between economic viability and improved working conditions.
The FEPAP-GUI plans to establish an Economic Observatory for the media to monitor the sector's evolution, advertising market, employment, and various economic models of press enterprises. This observatory is expected to publish periodic reports on the state of the media economy in Guinea. President Camara also emphasized the importance of creating new economic models, mutualizing services, and developing common platforms.
Key points
- The FEPAP-GUI aims to promote a deeper transformation of Guinea's private press sector.
- Amadou Tham Camara was elected president of the FEPAP-GUI by acclamation.
- The new federation seeks to represent the collective interests of private press enterprises in Guinea.
