Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY549
2009-09-11 13:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
CNC LIFTS BAN ON RADIO POLITICAL DEBATES
how-toVZCZCXRO3508 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0549 2541327 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 111327Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4029 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000549
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: CNC LIFTS BAN ON RADIO POLITICAL DEBATES
REF: A. CONAKRY 00528
B. CONAKRY 00503
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000549
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: CNC LIFTS BAN ON RADIO POLITICAL DEBATES
REF: A. CONAKRY 00528
B. CONAKRY 00503
1. (U) On August 31, Guinea's media regulatory body, the
National Communications Council (CNC),suspended all
political programs and call-in shows in all languages on
privately-owned radio stations in the country (reftel A). The
Minister of Communication to the Presidency and to the
Ministry of National Defense, Tibou Camara, announced on
September 9 that the CNC had lifted the ban. According to
local media, CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara charged
Minister Camara with resolving the "dispute" between the CNC
and the radio stations as Dadis wished to preserve freedom of
expression at any cost.
2. (U) To reach agreement, Minister Camara held discussions
between the head of the CNC, Jean Raymond Soumah, and
representatives of the Guinean Association of Private
Broadcasters, as well as journalists from the print media.
The ban came almost immediately following the suspension of
SMS services by the major telecommunications companies and
was immediately protested by the media (reftel B).
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
3. (SBU) COMMENT. The "discussions" between the CNC and the
journalists seems to have enabled Dadis to conveniently come
to the defense of democracy and freedom of expression.
Lifting the ban defused one discrete source of conflict, but
general unease continues as citizens anticipate Dadis'
declaration of his candidacy for president. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: CNC LIFTS BAN ON RADIO POLITICAL DEBATES
REF: A. CONAKRY 00528
B. CONAKRY 00503
1. (U) On August 31, Guinea's media regulatory body, the
National Communications Council (CNC),suspended all
political programs and call-in shows in all languages on
privately-owned radio stations in the country (reftel A). The
Minister of Communication to the Presidency and to the
Ministry of National Defense, Tibou Camara, announced on
September 9 that the CNC had lifted the ban. According to
local media, CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara charged
Minister Camara with resolving the "dispute" between the CNC
and the radio stations as Dadis wished to preserve freedom of
expression at any cost.
2. (U) To reach agreement, Minister Camara held discussions
between the head of the CNC, Jean Raymond Soumah, and
representatives of the Guinean Association of Private
Broadcasters, as well as journalists from the print media.
The ban came almost immediately following the suspension of
SMS services by the major telecommunications companies and
was immediately protested by the media (reftel B).
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
3. (SBU) COMMENT. The "discussions" between the CNC and the
journalists seems to have enabled Dadis to conveniently come
to the defense of democracy and freedom of expression.
Lifting the ban defused one discrete source of conflict, but
general unease continues as citizens anticipate Dadis'
declaration of his candidacy for president. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE