Gabon makes a spectacular leap, gains +38 points and rises to 56th place in the world

Gabon makes a spectacular leap, gaining +38 points and rising to 56th place in the world in the 2024 world ranking published on May 3, 2024 by the NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day .

On May 3, 2023, Gabon had already gained 11 points in the 2023 world press freedom rankings (RSF) and was positioned 94th in the world while it occupied 105th place in 2022.

The positive effect of the coup on the press justifies these positive performances of the country.

« After the coup d’état of August 30, 2023 having overthrown Ali Bongo Ondimba on the day of his re-election and despite the announced intentions of putschist general Brice Oligui Nguema to help “the press to do its job”, the advent of a press free and independent remains an unfinished business in Gabon, notably due to the zealous sanctions of the regulatory body“summarizes the RSF report.

« Gabonese journalists continue to be the subject of intimidation, notably through summonses by security services. Arbitrary arrests are rare. Access to sources is generally difficult“, adds the report.

Economic context

According to RSF, even if since 2020, aid to the written press has been distributed more equitably, journalists continue to face serious financial difficulties. The raw materials crisis of 2014 and the Covid-19 health crisis caused the bankruptcy of many media outlets. The advertising market has also shrunk, and advertisers are fleeing critical titles, stations and channels.

Legal framework

The report recalls that freedom of expression is enshrined in the Gabonese Constitution, and the 2016 Communication Code enabled major progress by putting an end to custodial sentences for press offenses. Despite these texts, journalists are still summoned to the police station on the basis of the Penal Code.

Article 55 of the organic law governing the HAC is misused and leaves its president the possibility of sanctioning a media outlet without bringing together the nine members of the body. The amendment to the law modifying its method of appointment was also adopted in total opacity.

Media landscape

The return of the multiparty system in 1990 was accompanied by the creation of numerous media. The written press now has more than sixty titles. L’Unionthe only national daily, is the most emblematic newspaper. Echoes of the North, Magnifying glass, Dawn et The weather are the most read private weeklies. The online press is growing and the most visited sites are Gabonreview, Gabon Media Time et Gabonactu. State channels such as Gabon Premiere et Gabon 24 remain very influential despite competition from several private channels. The presidential election of August 2023, just before the coup d’état, took place in the total absence of foreign media: accreditations had all been refused. The distribution of French media France 24, RFI et TV5 World had also been interrupted.

Political context

The culture of a free and independent press is struggling to establish itself, including online. The audiovisual sector is dominated by state media. Independent journalists are excluded from official demonstrations. Unfair media suspensions have increased in recent years. A repressive policy which has earned the High Authority of Communication (HAC), a media regulatory body which sorely lacks independence, the nickname of “chopped”. A new law promulgated on July 3, 2023 put back in place its old method of appointment which raises fears of a subjugation of this body: the government now designates all of its nine members and journalists, who previously could designate two, are now relegated to the rank of simple spectators.

Carl Nsitou