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Freedom of press : OIF calls for vigilance

posted on 02 May, 2012   (public)

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on May 3, Mr. Abdou Diouf, Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), states that the legal guarantees and effectiveness of freedom of press have improved in a number of French-speaking countries. However, the situation of press freedom remains a major concern for OIF. According to Mr. Diouf, the reconstruction of media landscapes is a priority issue in strengthening the freedom of expression and democracy in the transition countries.

For over a decade the International Organisation of La Francophonie has been engaged in a series of actions to guarantee freedom of the press in its member states. These actions include promotion of freedom of press, enhancing capacities of regulatory and self-regulatory media institutions, as well as respect to professional ethics in journalism.

In the framework of Unesco conference “New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies”, which will take place on 3-5 May in Tunis, OIF organises a round table on the topic of regulation and self-regulation of media space.

The International Organisation of La Francophonie, created in 1970, comprises 56 member states and 19 observers. www.francophonie.org