Guinea: ten recommendations for President Doumbouya on how to restore the right to information in a country ranked 103rd in the World Press Freedom Index

Repression against the media and journalists has only intensified in Guinea over the last four years. Four radio stations and two television channels were permanently shut downin May 2024, leading to the lossof hundreds of jobs in the media sector. The High Authority for Communication (HAC), the country's media regulator, has made a name for itself through repeated measurestargeting media outlets and journalists critical of government actions.

In this context, at least three journalists have been detainedand around twenty others arrested, allegedly by security forces. Journalist Habib Marouane Camara, editor of the news website Le Révélateur 224, has remained unaccounted for since his abductionon 3 December 2024. These violations are compounded by recurrent restrictions on access to the internet and social media.

Press freedom and the right to information are nevertheless guaranteed by Article 10 of the Guinean Constitution adopted by referendum on 21 September 2025. RSF is putting forward ten recommendations to ensure they are respected:

1. Do everything possible to secure the release of journalist Habib Marouane Camara

Put an end to the nightmare plaguing the editor's friends and family since he was abductedon 3 December 2024 by releasing him immediately and ensuring that such incidents do not happen again.

2. Restore the licences of the media outlets shut down under the transition

Immediately reverse the withdrawal of licences from the four radio stations and six television channels arbitrarily bannedin May 2024, and lift all arbitrary suspensions and closures of media outlets.

3. Reform the High Authority for Communication (HAC)

Limit executive interference in the process for appointing members of the HAC by ending the direct appointment of its president and the majority of its members by the President of the Republic, guaranteeing its independence from the executive.

4. Ensure that no journalist is imprisoned for doing their job

The 2010 law on press freedom which abolished custodial sentences for press-related offences, must be strictly enforced by judicial authorities.

5. Enforce the law on access to public information

Fully implement the 2020 law on access to administrative documents in order to strengthen public transparency and facilitate citizens' access to information.

6. Decriminalise press offences in the digital sphere

To prevent cybercrime law being abused to imprison journalists, bring it into line with the press freedom law to prevent its abusive use to imprison journalists. This reform must be accompanied by awareness-raising campaigns targeting judicial and administrative authorities.

7. End impunity for attacks against journalists

Systematically investigate violations targeting media professionals, severely punish those responsible, and refrain from obstructing the free exercise of journalism in the country.

8. Guarantee access to the internet under all circumstances

Adopt legislation prohibiting discretionary Internet shutdowns, social media restrictions and signal jamming for political reasons, particularly during election periods or times of protest.

9. Ensure transparent economic support for the media

Establish fair and transparent public subsidy mechanisms and guarantee the impartial distribution of institutional advertising, without favouring public service media to the detriment of private outlets.

10. Guarantee media pluralism

Guarantee journalists' access to all public events without discrimination or violence.