2023-11-02 16:18:46
The Solidarity Press association organized a conference-debate this Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the Mercure International University of Conakry, located in Kipé in the Commune of Ratoma on the theme: “Freedom of the press and expression: the advantages and the disadvantages of social networks.
Organized on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Committed once morest Journalists celebrated on November 2 each year, this conference was co-hosted by Amadou Diallo, former BBC correspondent in Guinea, Ibrahima Sory Traoré founder of Guinee7 and Ndimba radio and Thierno Diallo journalist-blogger.
The speakers explained at length the circumstances in which the airwaves were liberalized in Guinea under the regime of the late General Lansana Conté, before highlighting the advantages of social networks (SR) in the processing and dissemination of information. in Guinea.
According to Amadou Diallo, it took several negotiations for General Lansana Conté to agree to liberalize the airwaves. “Because we told Lansana Conté that if he released the airwaves, his regime would fall,” explained the former BBC correspondent in Guinea.
Amadou Diallo also indicated that social networks today participate in the democratization of education and information: “When I was studying there were documents that we might not find. Today this is not the case, there is a democratization of education. On the Internet you can find what you want. Wherever you are you can have real-time information. But be careful because there are a lot of drawbacks. Social networks should only be a source of information for the journalist, he must then verify the information because there is a lot of fake news.”
Ibrahima Sory Traoré denounces a desire by leaders and politicians to put obstacles in the way of journalists. However, according to the boss of Guinee7, everyone must realize that journalists are only doing their job.
“If you can’t tire out the mechanic on the street corner, who repairs cars, or the doctors who treat the sick, why tire out journalists? But I understand that it is because the journalist most often gives the information that those in power do not want us to give… We exercise a sensitive profession. We must not impose laws that are complicated. Because for me the law on freedom of the press is to allow journalists to better exercise their profession and to work well.
It was thanks to a fierce struggle led by veterans of the press that made it possible to obtain freedom of expression in Guinea, recalls Thierno Diallo, blogger. Which means that, according to him, journalism students have the chance to easily enter the profession following their studies.
“Today, information that passes through N’Zérékoré is easily disseminated in Conakry. But the journalist does not disseminate information that he has learned like that, without verifying it,” he maintains.
The spread of hate messages was also discussed during this meeting. The speakers invited “serious” media not to broadcast content and messages that contribute to the development of hatred in society.
The conference-debate ended with a series of questions and answers between the panelists and journalism and communication students from Mercure International University of Conakry.
This conference was organized by the journalists’ association “Presse solidaire” as part of its activities in favor of young journalists.
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