A few hours before the launch of the campaign for the presidential election on December 28, the president of the High Authority of Communication (HAC), Boubacar Yacine Diallo, met this Friday with the heads of press associations, as well as the directors of public and private media. On this occasion, he reminded each entity of its role and the extent of its responsibilities during this crucial period.
“The principle of equal treatment between candidates is obligatory. They are nine, declared by the Supreme Court, they must have equal access in your media. We have made a decision regarding private media and another regarding public service media,” he declared.
Regulated freedom for the private press
Concerning private media, the HAC gives them the freedom to process information, subject to respect for ethics and professional conduct, the principle of cross-checking information and the principle of equality between candidates, as specified by the decree and the Electoral Code. “the private media will tell me that they only live during the campaign. Of course, you have to generate revenue, but if, for example, you decide to take the candidates’ press releases, I know the example of Côte d’Ivoire. They ensured that the amount, the cost of distribution, was the same for all candidates. They call it equality between the candidates”indicated Boubacar Yacine and continued “This concerns the private press. That is to say that there, if candidate X, who has a lot of money, wants to issue a press release, he will pay the same price as the candidate who has less money. This is a rule that the High Authority of Communication has established. This is the last example I experienced. This is the last model that was applied. We cannot prohibit you from looking for money during the election period. But, you must do it while respecting the set principles. Do not transgress”he warned.
Recalling the experience of the previous referendum, President Boubacar Yacine Diallo also addressed the issue of sanctions.
“I would like to remind you, because some were surprised during the referendum, that the HAC took sanctions against bodies without having convened them. We have heard this criticism. But read the laws that govern campaigns. The reaction is immediate, because everything can degenerate. I hope that no sanctions will be taken during this campaign. We have all learned our lessons and I am confident that everything will go well. The candidates are all Guineans and our role is that of arbitrator. he said.
Concerning interactive broadcasts, the HAC does not prohibit these formats. However, only one formal ban will be mentioned in the decision. This is propaganda for one candidate to the detriment of another.
“Propaganda in favor of a candidate by an auditor is strictly prohibited. This is the only ban we place on interactive broadcasts on radio and television, whether public or private. This is a common measure. A listener cannot call on voters to vote for a candidate or to vote against a candidate. This is strictly prohibited. For the rest, expression is free,” concluded Boubacar Yacine Diallo.
Naby Mansaré