Guinea Political Orientation
Government
Government Type: Republic
Head of Government: Colonel Mamady Doumbouya (since 2021, following a military coup)
Political Party: Guinea has experienced political instability and several coups since gaining independence in 1958. The most recent coup in September 2021 ousted President Alpha Condé, who had been in power since 2010.
Political Position: Currently under military rule following the coup.
Press Freedom
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: 44.76 Limited Freedom
World Press Freedom Rank: Guinea 85/180
The 2023 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index places Guinea at 85th out of 180 countries. The report highlights Guinea’s diverse media landscape but raises concerns about the future of press freedom under the interim government established after the September 2021 coup.
Media Ownership and Government Analysis
West African nations, once under French colonial rule, have shown resistance to the continued presence of French troops. Burkina Faso recently terminated its military pact with France, and in a significant political shift, Niger experienced a coup on July 26, with its President, Mohamed Bazoum, being detained.
In response, international bodies like ECOWAS, the EU, France, the U.S., Canada, and the World Bank imposed sanctions on Niger, urging a return to democracy. The U.S. emphasized the significance of democratic governance, noting the potential implications for U.S. financial aid. In contrast, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Mali opposed the ECOWAS sanctions on Niger and warned against any military intervention.
Amidst these geopolitical shifts, Moscow has been bolstering its military ties with African countries, including Guinea, through arms sales, military training, and the deployment of private military contractors like Wagner. Niger’s economic landscape is also noteworthy. Despite being the world’s seventh-largest uranium producer, it grapples with widespread poverty, with Over 10 million of its residents living in dire conditions.
In the realm of media, Guinea’s media environment comprises both state-owned and private outlets. State-run Radiodiffusion-Television Guineenne (RTG) dominates broadcasting and operates both radio and TV services. When it comes to print media, the government-owned Horoya is published weekly; private weeklies include Le Diplomat, La Nouvelle Tribune, and the satirical Le Lynx. However, despite some outlets being privately owned, the recent political upheavals, including the 2021 coup, have further strained the relationship between the government and the press, leading to concerns about the safety of journalists and the potential for government censorship.
Finally, there have been instances where Guinea’s military junta faces criticism for escalating press freedom violations, including media restrictions and censorship, leading to protests and boycotts by the country’s media organizations.
In summary, the press operates under the shadow of an unstable government.
Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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