The fifth edition of Mali's media salon was officially opened by Minister of Communication, Alhamdou AG ILYÈNE. The event was attended by several notable figures, including the president of the Maison de la Presse, Bandiougou Danté, and the director of RT en français, Natalia Lebedeva. The salon brings together professionals from the media industry, government officials, and partners from various countries, including Burkina Faso, Senegal, Guinea, Niger, Togo, Benin, and Russia.
This year's edition of the media salon is themed "Professionnalisme des médias sociaux, viabilité économique des médias" (Professionalism of social media, economic viability of media). The event features over 50 exhibition stands representing various media outlets in Mali, including radios, televisions, newspapers, online media, press agencies, and professional organizations. The president of the salon's organizing committee, Issa Kaba Diakité, stated that the exhibition aims to showcase the diversity of Mali's media landscape and promote collaboration among professionals.
The media salon will feature several panels on topics such as the economy of media, professionalization, and the economic viability of press enterprises. For the first time, the event will also include a panel on sports, titled "Comment construire un écosystème médiatique autour du sport local en Afrique?" (How to build a media ecosystem around local sports in Africa?). Additionally, the salon will host the third edition of the École du Salon, which will provide training and masterclasses for 75 participants.
The event has been praised by various stakeholders, including Bandiougou Danté, who represents the Malian press. He invited participants to actively engage in the discussions and ensure that the recommendations from the event are used to promote the media sector. Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, also commended the choice of theme for the fifth edition, highlighting the importance of professionalizing social media and rethinking the economic models of the media sector.
Minister Abdoulaye Diop emphasized the need for better regulation of social media and the fight against disinformation, manipulation, and information warfare. He called for increased involvement of national media and communication professionals in building a dynamic and professional Sahelian media space. The minister also advocated for stronger cooperation between media actors and diplomatic institutions to promote Mali's image internationally.
In his opening speech, Minister Alhamdou AG ILYÈNE stressed the importance of responsibility in the media industry, particularly in the face of the digital revolution. He emphasized the need for collective responsibility, fact-checking, and respect for ethics and deontology. The minister also called for the emergence of a new generation of social media professionals who are aware of their responsibilities and trained in the requirements of ethics and digital tools.
Minister AG ILYÈNE also highlighted the issue of information sovereignty, stating that Africa must be a full player in the production, dissemination, and control of its own information. He emphasized that political sovereignty cannot be complete without true digital and information sovereignty. The minister reiterated the government's commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to a better understanding of Mali abroad and the promotion of its image.
Key points
- The fifth edition of Mali's media salon focuses on the professionalism of social media and the economic viability of media outlets.
- The event brings together professionals from the media industry, government officials, and partners from various countries.
- The salon features several panels and exhibitions, as well as a training program for young journalists and communicators.
