Amadou Tham Camara, the newly elected head of the Fédération Patronale des Associations Professionnelles de Presse de Guinée (FEPAP-GUI), has outlined the main objectives of his tenure. In his inaugural speech, he emphasized the importance of economic viability for press enterprises, stating that their sustainability is crucial for the freedom of the press. He aims to establish FEPAP-GUI as a key interlocutor between the press sector and public authorities.
Camara's vision for the press sector involves a "refoundation" that promotes responsibility, professionalism, and solidarity without compromising pluralism or editorial freedom. He stressed that press enterprises are legitimate economic entities that invest, recruit, and train personnel. To achieve this, FEPAP-GUI will advocate for a more favorable economic environment, seeking fairness, predictability, and conditions that allow press enterprises to thrive.
The new FEPAP-GUI president identified several key areas of focus, including taxation, advertising, and access to financing. He called for a more transparent advertising market, objective allocation of institutional advertising, and a tax system that reflects the sector's economic realities. Additionally, the federation aims to facilitate access to financing and markets for press enterprises while engaging with major digital platforms that utilize content produced by Guinean media.
The transformation of press enterprises into the digital age and the responsible use of artificial intelligence are also priorities for FEPAP-GUI. Camara announced that the federation will support its member companies in this transition. Furthermore, he assured workers and their representatives that the collective agreement for the press sector is a top concern, with its signing expected imminently.
Camara emphasized the importance of social dialogue in achieving the collective agreement, seeking a balance between the legitimate interests of enterprises and the protection of workers. He also called for a new dynamic in relations between press enterprises and public authorities, proposing a "new pact" based on responsibility, recognition, and dialogue.
The FEPAP-GUI will prioritize professionalization, promoting ethics and deontology, strengthening continuous training, and improving the governance of press enterprises. The federation also aims to address disparities between Conakry-based media and those in the interior, promoting equal opportunities for young people and women in the sector.
To monitor the sector's evolution, an Observatoire économique des médias will be established to collect data, track the advertising market, analyze employment, and publish periodic reports on the state of the media in Guinea. This initiative aims to help press enterprises adapt to changes in the sector, including the rise of digital platforms and technological advancements.
Key points
- Amadou Tham Camara aims to establish FEPAP-GUI as a key interlocutor between the press sector and public authorities.
- The federation prioritizes the economic viability of press enterprises, advocating for a more favorable economic environment.
- FEPAP-GUI will focus on professionalization, promoting ethics, and addressing disparities in the sector.
