International Press Freedom Day, which took place on May 3, was an opportunity for various announcements to be made regarding the necessary adaptation of the press to the new digital world. At the same time, Reporters Without Borders published its annual global ranking on press freedom.
- In the DRC, the US authorities announced $1.5 million in aid to support the development of the media sector.
The funds, which will be transferred to the government through the US Agency for International Development, will be used in particular to combat fake news and hate speech.
"The mobilization of resources and fair regulation for independent media must be addressed. Journalists who cannot feed themselves are vulnerable to unethical practices," said Mike Hammer, the US ambassador to the DRC, who also reiterated the importance of freedom of expression and the media in the run-up to the 2023 elections.
The DRC ranks 125th in the RDF world ranking.
- In CAMEROON, Communications Minister René Emmanuel SADI announced that he is working on a new legal framework to regulate the communications and media sector, as well as the upcoming creation of an Audiovisual Development Fund.
"From a purely legal standpoint, a thorough overhaul of the framework law on social communication has been initiated. Its completion will make it possible to upgrade the legal provisions governing the activities of the media and the various communication professions," the minister said at a press conference held on World Press Freedom Day.
Cameroon ranks 118th in the 2022 RSF ranking.
- In COTE D'IVOIRE, the newly appointed Minister of Communication welcomed his country's significant progress in the recently published annual "Reporters Without Borders" ranking. Côte d'Ivoire now ranks 37th out of 180 countries, up 29 places from 2021, and ranks 4th among African countries after Seychelles, South Africa, and Cape Verde.
- Burkina Faso is also among the highest-ranked French-speaking African countries, coming in at 41st in the world and 5th in Africa, just behind Côte d'Ivoire.
- SENEGAL faces a paradoxical situation, as the RSF report highlights the proliferation of the Senegalese press while noting that the country has fallen significantly in the rankings in one year, from 49th to 73rd place.
In all other African countries, this day was an opportunity to discuss and reflect on the new future of the press in the face of the digital revolution and on issues relating to press freedom and professional ethics, but also to remind governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.