Côte d'Ivoire - Towards the adoption of Online media regulatory framework in the WAEMU (UMOA) region

Côte d'Ivoire-Towards the adoption of Online media regulatory framework in the WAEMU (UMOA). Abidjan, 15 September 2021 -

On Wednesday, 15 September 2021, the President of the Platform of Audiovisual Regulators of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and Guinea, Babacar Diagne, expressed the willingness of his organisation the establishment a regulatory framework of all online media.

"We have worked on important issues which concern the regulation of online media. In many of our countries, there is still a vacuum. That is why we must meet in Abidjan to discuss these issues," said Senegalese Babacar Diagne, after a meeting with Prime Minister Patrick Achi.

In this regard, during a press conference held around the strategies of Online audiovisual media services, Babacar Diagne confirmed the submission of a draft regulatory framework. "We will introduce a draft later and perhaps before a meeting in Ouagadougou, work on a legal framework that we can apply in our countries," he said.

The President of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) of Côte d'Ivoire, Mr René Bourgoin, wished for the adoption of a special status for this plat-form of audiovisual regulators in the WAEMU region, in the presence of the representative of its Commission, Paul Koffi Koffi, who agreed with this proposal.

According to Prime Minister Patrick Achi, it is necessary, in particular, to secure data from social networks and ensure the reliability of information through the development of infrastructure and legislation adapted to the evolution of information technology and communication.

For Patrick Achi, Social Media Networks are as much an opportunity for Africa, in terms of access to knowledge, as a threat through misinformation and unsecured data.

"No freedom can be total. (...) We are all free within the limits of the laws enacted in this framework. We must not see in this the policeman. The regulator is the one who makes it possible for a state to function. No State can function without rules," concluded the Ivorian Minister of Communication, Media and Francophonie, Amadou Coulibaly.

Organised by the HACA, this international symposium took place from 14 to 15 September 2021 in Abidjan, attended by presidents of the Platform of audiovisual regulators of WAEMU member countries and Guinea.

 

Published/Updated on 16/09/21 @15:43

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Source: IPA