The Mauritanian Journalists' Union has praised the High Authority for Press and Visual Communication (HAP) for issuing a preliminary list of Mauritanian press institutions that meet certain professional and institutional standards. In a statement, the union described the move as a significant development in the regulation of the media sector. The union's endorsement comes after HAP released a list of 36 institutions that meet the required standards, including TV channels, newspapers, and online media outlets.
The union's statement highlighted the importance of establishing clear criteria for evaluating media institutions, including their legal status, production, content, and adherence to professional and pluralistic standards. According to the union, this move will help organize the media landscape and enhance its credibility. However, the union also emphasized that the effectiveness of this classification depends on the objectivity of the adopted criteria and the transparency of their application.
The union also stressed that decisions with a direct impact on the future of the media sector should be made in consultation with professional and union bodies. These decisions should be based solely on legal texts and objective professional and institutional standards, rather than personal considerations or unsubstantiated criteria. The union's statement comes as HAP announced a list of 18 institutions that are in the process of completing the required standards.
The Mauritanian Journalists' Union called on HAP to listen to institutions that feel they have been unfairly treated or misclassified. The union requested that these institutions be given the opportunity to submit complaints and clarify their situation. According to the union, this will ensure that any potential errors or irregularities are reviewed and that fairness is ensured.
The union emphasized that the protection of journalists' rights and those of media institution employees should be a condition for classification and accreditation. The union argued that a media institution cannot be considered professional or institutional if it does not respect the rights of its journalists, who are the foundation of its media production and continuity.
The Mauritanian Journalists' Union also called for the reform and evaluation process to include press, union, and professional bodies. This process should be based on clear legal and professional standards that guarantee equal opportunities and respect for pluralism. The union's statement concluded by emphasizing the importance of involving journalists' representatives in the various stages of media regulation and reform.
The classification of press institutions by HAP is seen as a crucial step towards regulating the media sector in Mauritania. The union's endorsement of the move reflects the importance of establishing clear standards for media institutions. Key to this process is ensuring that these standards are applied objectively and transparently, and that the rights of journalists and media institution employees are protected.
Key points
- The Mauritanian Journalists' Union has praised HAP for classifying press institutions based on professional and institutional standards.
- The classification aims to regulate the media sector and enhance its credibility.
- The union emphasized the importance of protecting journalists' rights and involving them in the media regulation and reform process.
