Guinea: Jeune Afrique correspondent regains his accreditation

Guinea's High Authority for Communication (HAC) announced on Thursday that it had reinstated the accreditation of Mamadou Diawo Barry, correspondent for Jeune Afrique, two weeks after depriving him of the right to work in Guinea on behalf of the Paris-based pan-African magazine.

On September 16, the HAC withdrew Mr. Barry's accreditation, citing "serious violations" of ethical and professional obligations and considering that his coverage of Guinean news did not meet the requirements of objectivity, neutrality and balance.

In its new decision, seen by AFP, the regulatory authority indicates that it is reversing this sanction following "formal commitments" made by the management of Jeune Afrique and conciliation efforts.

She states in particular that the editorial staff has committed to "removing any confusion" and to ensuring that Mr. Barry's role as correspondent for Jeune Afrique "is distinct" from his responsibilities within a Guinean media outlet, Le Lynx, an independent satirical weekly.

This lifting comes after Jeune Afrique challenged the initial sanction, denouncing a decision taken without prior consultation with the journalist or his superiors and asking the HAC to reconsider its decision.

"The clarifications requested by the HAC from the management of Jeune Afrique concerned the distinction between the status of correspondent of our collaborator Diawo Barry and his functions as editor-in-chief of the Guinean media Le Lynx," Jeune Afrique indicated.

"These clarifications have been provided and the HAC has made the decision to lift the measure withdrawing the accreditation of our correspondent. We can only welcome this," the group continued.

This case comes amid severe restrictions imposed on the press in Guinea since the 2021 military coup. In May 2024, authorities notably revoked the licenses of six radio and television stations belonging to three major private groups. Reporters Without Borders believes that Guinean authorities have since intensified their crackdown on critical media.