On October 26, the HACA, in collaboration with bloggers and influencers, adopted the first-ever agreement aimed at regulating social media in the country. The stakeholders signed the first national social media charter.
In a recent interview with Adweknow, Rita Pascale Kwaminan, President of the Association of Bloggers of Côte d'Ivoire, said: "If we aspire to a fair and equitable society, we must put in place effective legal mechanisms that protect the rights of every citizen. The web, which has become a platform for ordinary citizens to express themselves, must have a minimum set of rules. Côte d'Ivoire has nearly 7 million social media users. Given the impact that bloggers, activists, and influencers can have on the behavior of internet users, regulation is essential in the world of content creators."
The Social Media Charter is a set of seven key principles aimed at guiding and promoting positive digital citizenship for those active on the web (activists, bloggers, and influencers). It is a voluntary, free, and responsible commitment that includes the following points:
- Commitment to the integrity and accuracy of information
- Respect for the rights and dignity of others
- Transparency in partnerships and business interests
- Respect for copyright and intellectual property rights
- Promoting constructive debate and open dialogue
- Protection of personal data
- Responsibility towards society and the environment
The signing of this charter represents an important step in the regulation of social media and the implementation of regulations to better supervise social media. It should be noted that in February 2023, the Ivorian government had already enacted a law on the legal framework for audiovisual communication, aimed at regulating the activities of bloggers, influencers, and activists on the internet. This law makes individuals with more than 25,000 followers on the internet accountable in the same way as online media outlets.
"Beyond regulation, the reform of the audiovisual communication law is a step forward for content creators. This law recognizes the existence of bloggers, activists, and influencers, which is a first in Ivorian law," said Rita Pascale Kwaminan.