The fifth edition of the Salon des Médias au Mali (SAM MALI) kicked off on November 5, 2026, at the Amadou Hampâté Bâ Culture Palace in Bamako. The event is under the high patronage of Mali's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop. The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Communication, Digital Economy, and Modernization of Administration, Alhamdou AG ILYÈNE. The event saw the participation of several dignitaries, including the president of the Maison de la Presse, Bandiougou Danté, and representatives from various countries such as Burkina Faso, Senegal, Guinea, Niger, Togo, Benin, and Russia.
This year's edition of SAM MALI features over 50 exhibition stands for various stakeholders in Mali's media landscape, including radios, televisions, newspapers, online media, press agencies, and professional organizations. The president of the SAM MALI organizing committee, Issa Kaba Diakité, stated that the exhibition aims to showcase the diversity and plurality of Mali's media, facilitate networking, and create collaboration opportunities among professionals. In addition to the exhibitions, several panels are scheduled to discuss topics such as media economics, professionalization, and the economic viability of press enterprises.
For the first time, the event includes a panel on constructing a media ecosystem around local sports in Africa, titled "Comment construire un écosystème médiatique autour du sport local en Afrique?" The program also features the third edition of the École du Salon, which has 75 participants for capacity-building sessions and masterclasses, including Russian participants from RT en français. Bandiougou Danté, speaking on behalf of Mali's press, praised the SAM MALI initiative, which aligns with the Maison de la Presse's vision, and encouraged participants to engage actively in the discussions.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, commended the choice of this edition's theme, which focuses on the professionalization of social media. He emphasized the crucial role of media in society, whether traditional or social, and the need for better regulation and rethinking of media sector economic models. Diop also highlighted the challenges posed by disinformation, manipulation, and information warfare, stressing the importance of national media and communication professionals in building a dynamic and professional Sahelian media space.
In his opening speech, Minister Alhamdou AG ILYÈNE noted that today's battles are not only fought on military, economic, or diplomatic fronts but also in the information space, on screens, social media, and in people's minds. He emphasized that media can no longer be considered mere observers but are key actors in shaping society. AG ILYÈNE called for collective responsibility in the face of the digital revolution, stressing the importance of verifying information, respecting ethics, and protecting personal data.
The Minister of Communication also highlighted the need for a new generation of social media professionals who are aware of their responsibilities, trained in ethics, and capable of mastering new digital tools. He praised the École du Salon initiative, which enables young journalists and communicators to acquire essential skills for their profession. Furthermore, AG ILYÈNE emphasized the importance of information sovereignty, stating that Africa must be a full player in producing, disseminating, and controlling its own information.
The event continues to provide a platform for discussions on the future of media in Mali and Africa, with a focus on professionalization, economic viability, and information sovereignty. As the fifth edition of SAM MALI comes to a close, participants are expected to produce recommendations that will serve as advocacy documents for the media sector. Key points from the event include the need for professionalization of social media, the importance of information sovereignty, and the necessity for collective responsibility in the face of the digital revolution.
Key points
- The fifth edition of SAM MALI focuses on the professionalism of social media and the economic viability of online media.
- The event features over 50 exhibition stands and several panels on topics such as media economics and professionalization.
- The Minister of Communication emphasized the need for collective responsibility in the face of the digital revolution and the importance of information sovereignty.
