RTG MAINTAINS CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH EMBASSY

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000108


STATE FOR AF/PDPA
INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
CIA WASHINGTONDC
DIA WASHINGTONDC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KPAO KDEM XY GV
SUBJECT: RTG MAINTAINS CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH EMBASSY


1. Summary: Guinea's national television and radio service, RTG,
has continued to provide fair, even handed coverage of Embassy
events, including DVCs, since the coup by the CNDD. The Embassy has
held numerous events, including a DVC press conference by the Acting
Assistant Secretary, and RTG television and radio has covered them
all. RTG also invited the PAO to do a 30-minute interview on the
Obama inauguration. This continued openness to the Embassy by the
state-controlled media is an indication that the CNDD does not
firmly control the content of its own broadcaster, and may reflect
the influence of the Minister of Information and Culture Justin
Morel Junior. End summary.


2. Since the coup of December 23, 2008, RTG has provided extensive
coverage of the activities of the CNDD, and has been a platform for
Captain Dadis Camara to make speeches and issue decrees. However,
both radio and television have maintained cordial relations with the
U.S. Embassy and have continued to provide even-handed coverage of
Embassy activities even in cases where U.S. officials have
explicitly condemned the coup and called for a return to civilian
rule.


3. On January 28 the Embassy hosted a press conference via digital
video conference (DVC) with the acting Assistant Secretary for
African Affairs Phillip Carter. During this DVC Carter made strong
statements that the military should return power to civilian
authorities and set a date for both legislative and presidential
elections this year. The DVC was covered by RTG radio and
television and the Minister of Information and Culture Justin Morel
Junior was in attendance. Both RTG radio and television aired
reports of the DVC, including the statements on elections by the
Assistant Secretary and a sound bite from the PAO.


4. On February 4, the political counselor gave a speech at NDI that
was also covered by RTG. During the event, a government minister
refused to acknowledge the political counselor or to acknowledge
that USAID had funded the project. However, RTG's coverage included
an excerpt from the POL officer's speech and also noted that USAID
was a co-sponsor of the event. In addition, RTG has covered other
Embassy DVCs, including one on the new Obama administration. They
invited the PAO to do a 30-minute interview on the inauguration of
Barack Obama.


5. PAO met with RTG journalists, who reported that there were no
repercussions for their reporting of the U.S. position on the coup.
However, they complain of interference from the CNDD and heavy
handed tactics. The journalists say the CNDD pressures them to
broadcast their meetings in their entirety without editing. They
noted that the military officer in charge of the press office at the
Presidency, a holdover from the Conte regime, has become
increasingly difficult to work with since the coup. The journalists
noted that the new Minister, Justin Morel Junior, has not intervened
a great deal in the day to day affairs of RTG, unless it is to
improve professionalism among the journalists and technicians.


6. Comment: The fact that Dadis Camara has not interfered with RTG
to the point of excluding the views of the United States may be a
sign that he wants to maintain good relations with the U.S. and a
modicum of openness in the media. It is also possible that he does
not grasp the power of the media and its usefulness as a tool to
control the message of the CNDD. RTG's continuing openness to the
views of the U.S. may also reflect the influence of Justin Morel
Junior. He is undoubtedly the most popular member of the CNDD
cabinet, especially among young people. He is also a former
International Visitor participant with positive views of the U.S.
The Embassy will continue to capitalize on this openness by using
RTG, the only national radio and television network, to get our
message out about the need for elections in 2009 and a restoration
of civilian government.

RASPOLIC