Media self-regulatory body for Guinea as its unions, state sign agreement
PICTURE: Julian Vera Film/Pexels
International Federation of Journalists
The IFJ joins its affiliates in Guinea, L’Association de Journalistes du Guinee (AJG) and Le Syndicat des Professionnels de la Presse de Guinee (SPPG) in welcoming the signing of a collective bargaining agreement with media owners and the establishment of a media self-regulatory body.
These documents were validated on 21 May by representatives of the High Authority of Communication (HAC), the Forum for the Future of the Media in Guinea and representatives of the press union and associations, following a three-day deliberation, and mark a major victory on media freedom.
This achievement will greatly contribute to improving the working conditions of journalists and media workers, such as wage increases and insurance benefits, as well as enhancing quality journalism
According to local media reports, the documents validation meeting, which was attended by the HAC President, Boubacar Yacine Diallo, took several hours of deliberation and experience-sharing by all the parties involved before an agreement was reached.
Similarly, the parties around the table engaged in very intense debates before validating the document to establish a media self-regulatory body. Various amendments were made to the original document before it was finally approved.
All parties expressed their desire to sign the documents, which are the first in the history of the press in Guinea
The SPPG, which is IFJ-affiliated, initiated the first draft of the collective agreement in 2018. Since then, it has rigorously followed up by working with all relevant stakeholders to encourage them to support and accept the draft.
The Secretary General of SPPG, Sekou Jamal Pendessa, said that it has taken the union seven years of intense struggle and negotiations to arrive where we are today: ‘It was not an easy road, but we are very happy that very soon this agreement will come into force.’
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said that the validation of the collective agreement document – and the document concerning the establishment of a media self-regulatory body – is a resounding victory.
It will have a direct and positive impact on journalists and media workers in Guinea, many of whom are currently paid below the minimum wage, as well on freelance journalists, whose working conditions must be improved.
‘The IFJ praises this noble initiative. It calls on the authorities in Guinea to delay no further in ensuring that both documents are signed by all stakeholders and to enforce implementation of the collective agreement in particular,’ added Bellanger.
- This article was first published here
