The Middle Middle Organization (OPAM) celebrated the International Press Liberty day in Libreville yesterday in Libreville. This gathering around the theme “for a responsible and economically viable Gabonese press in the Fifth Republic”, was the occasion for an in-depth reflection on the current state of the media in Gabon. The objective being, according to the president of the OPAM, Jean-Yves Ntoutoume, to restore the credibility of the media and to prepare them to play a key role in the Fifth Republic.
During this day, the participants debated various subjects, including the Place de la Press in the Fifth Republic, the legal framework governing the Gabonese media as well as the growing role of digital in media financing. Gabon has recently been classified 41st among 180 countries in the latest report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). A classification which underlines the need to impose more professionalism in the sector. The speakers agreed that for the media to exercise their mission effectively, a return to the fundamentals of journalism is crucial.
“It is imperative to remedy the absence of adapted training schools and revisit the current communication code, which does not clearly define what a journalist is,” said Hyacinthe Marcel Mba Allogo, one of the speakers. This questioning is all the more relevant in a context where many journalists, often not trained, are animated by the bait of easy gain.
On the legal level, Désiré emanates, another speaker, pleaded for necessary reforms within the regulatory entities of communication in Gabon. “It takes an independent framework to regulate the communication sector,” he insisted, calling for an update of the instruments governing this field to ensure that the press can fully fulfill its role in the Fifth Republic.
This day of reflection thus made it possible to highlight the challenges and opportunities that arise for the Gabonese media, specifying that a collective commitment to an independent and responsible press is essential for the democratic future of the country.
