On October 30, Boubacar Yacine Diallo, chairman of Guinea's High Authority of Communication (HAC), received the newly elected bureau of the Federation of Professional Press Associations of Guinea (FEPAP-GUI). The meeting took place after the constitutive general assembly on October 8, 2026. Diallo expressed his support for the new federation and encouraged them to play a vital role in sanitizing the press sector.
Diallo emphasized that his institution considers the new federation as a privileged interlocutor, facilitating communication and relations between the HAC and the press patronage. He highlighted that they share common projects, including the sanitization of the press, which involves both journalists and media outlets. The HAC chairman stressed that these two entities are interdependent.
The sanitization of the press was identified as a primary project shared by the HAC and the federation. Diallo noted that this process must involve both journalists and media outlets, as one cannot exist without the other. He also mentioned the issue of state subsidies allocated to private press, which often poses difficulties due to the blurred lines between journalists and media owners.
Diallo expressed concern over the transformations brought about by new information technologies and their impact on the media landscape. He called for an evolution of laws to better regulate these changes and enable traditional media to compete with new internet-based actors. The HAC chairman warned that if caution is not exercised, traditional press may succumb to the rise of non-professionals gaining notoriety online.
The new federation was urged to contribute to the development of laws that accommodate new technologies and to support media outlets that meet legal requirements. Diallo emphasized that this would enable them to resist unfair competition from online media. He assured the federation of the HAC's support in helping them establish themselves and eventually become self-sufficient.
Diallo acknowledged that the current legislation is being reviewed to address the issue of media ownership and the distinction between journalists and media owners. He expressed hope that the new laws will provide a framework for genuine media owners to operate, rather than individuals who are both journalists and owners.
The HAC chairman concluded by reaffirming his institution's commitment to supporting the federation and helping them navigate the challenges facing the press sector. He expressed confidence that together, they can ensure the sustainability of traditional press and promote a healthy media environment in Guinea.
Key points
- The HAC chairman emphasized the need for press sanitization and regulation to ensure a healthy media environment.
- The issue of state subsidies allocated to private press was discussed, with Diallo highlighting the need for clearer lines between journalists and media owners.
- The impact of new information technologies on the media landscape was also addressed, with a call for evolving laws to regulate these changes.
