PAO CONAKRY MEETS WITH DIRECTOR OF MEDIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000100

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/PDPA, AF/W, INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2018
TAGS: OEXC PGOV PREL SCUL KPAO GV
SUBJECT: PAO CONAKRY MEETS WITH DIRECTOR OF MEDIA
REGULATORY AGENCY

REF: A. CONAKRY 0094


B. CONAKRY 0162

Classified By: PAO ANDREW MCLEAN FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D


1. (U) Summary: The Public Affairs Officer (PAO) met with
the new controversial director of the Commission National de
la Communication (CNC),the government body that enforces
press standards and guarantees press freedom in Guinea. The
director talked about his vision for the CNC, his views of
the media and press freedom, and the political orientation of
the CNC. The PAO and director agreed to collaborate on an
event for press freedom day, May 3. End summary.


2. (SBU) The PAO met with the director of the CNC Tibou
Kamara April 8. President Conte appointed Kamara to the CNC
on March 1. The decision sparked controversy because Kamara
was actually suspended by the CNC in early January, during a
period when there was no director. (Note: Kamara was highly
critical of Prime Minister Kouyate in his newspaper,
L'Observateur, and had also criticized Q CNC before his
suspension. (reftel A)) Also he does not meet the legal age
requirements for the position, bQ only 35 while the
position requires a 40 year-old (reftel B). Some of the
presQas been critical of Kamara's appointment because of
the age issue as well as some of Kamara,s recent decisions,
but others are taking a wait and see attitude.


3. (U) This was the PAO's first meeting with Kamara and the
discussion focused on Kamara's priorities at CNC, his views
on the state of the media in Guinea, and areas for
collaboration between the CNC and the Embassy. Kamara was
very concerned with the image of the CNC, which has
deteriorated over the last year in the absence of a director.
He wants to increase public awareness of CNC and its role as
a media regulatory body, and restore its image as a defender
of freedom of speech and the independent media, rather than
an institution that disciplines the press in the interests of
the government.


4. (U) Kamara said there are four challenges facing the
Guinean media: the partisanship of the press, the difficulty
of issuing standard press credentials, the weakness of the
press subsidy, and the lack of professional training.


5. (U) The PAO reminded Kamara of the Embassy's interest in
an independent media and of some of our past programs that
have provided journalism training. The PAO reiterated that
the Embassy would continue to look for ways to increase
professionalism among journalists in Guinea. The PAO raised
the possibility of creating an annual awards ceremony in
Guinea to reward excellence in journalism. Kamara was
enthusiastic about the proposal and said he would work with
the PAO to make that happen. Kamara reminded the PAO that
May 3 is international press freedom day and said he was
planning an event to commemorate the occasion. PAO offered
the assistance of the Embassy in helping him organize that
program. The Embassy press assistant has now been made a
member of the organizing committee.


6. (SBU) The PAO raised the issue of the suspension of
Kamara's newspaper, L'Observateur, by the CNC in January and
whether it was awkward to now head the organization that
suspended him. He said that the CNC was playing its role
according to the letter of the law and it was normal for the
CNC to call attention to any journalist who steps over the
line. He said he wanted to encourage media professionals to
engage in constructive dialogue with the government to ensure
the peace and stability of Guinea.


7. (C) The PAO asked Kamara if the CNC was a partisan
organization. He said that he will not be manipulated by
partisan forces, and the fact that he comes from the private
sector will help him with that. He intends to do his job
professionally even if that caQs frustration in some.
(Comment: As a newspaper editor Kamara was higQ partisan,
an outspoken critic of PM Kouyate and an apparent supporter
of former PQCellou Dalein. End Comment.) Concerning his
letter asking RTG to stop proclaiming both Mamadou Sylla and
Youssouf Diallo as head of the Patronat, he said he was
within his authority to ask the public broadcaster to stop
confusing the public. As for his statements in support of
Chantal Colle, he said he was speaking out in favor of free
speech. He claims this is also within his purview as head of
CNC since Colle,s comments criticizing PM Kouyate were given
at a press conference.


8. (C) COMMENT: In recent weeks Kamara wrote a letter to the

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Minister of Communication asking that RTG, the state-run
broadcaster, clarify in its reporting who is the actual head
of the Patronat, the business leaders association. The
letter seemed to favor Mamadou Sylla, an ally of President
Conte, over Youssouf Diallo. Kamara denied that he had any
preference between the two. Also recently Kamara came out in
support of Chantal Colle, another presidential ally, who was
forced out of the country after she criticized Prime Minister
Kouyate. Several independent newspaper editors, who are not
necessarily friends of the President, also supported Colle on
this issue.


9. (C) Kamara,s recent statement on the Chantal Colle
Affair and his letter regarding the Patronat are being widely
interpreted as partisan politics. Kamara was appointed by
the president in the middle of a politically charged period
shortly after Conte had named another of his associates as
the minister of communications. Both of these appointments
have been viewed as a presidential attempt to restore control
over information and the media. Whether or not Kamara will
adhere to his professed commitment to non-partisanship
remains to be seen. END COMMENT.
CARTER