African journalists will remember that the Abidjan Declaration enabled the creation of the African Freedom of the Press Watchdog. It was at the end of the international symposium on the freedom of the press, organised in Côte d’Ivoire, on 5^th and 6^th October 2015.

The watchdog is in charge of assessing and marking the policies of African states in terms of freedom of the press, protection of journalists and communication professionals. Moreover, an African Day on Self-regulation of the Media and Protection of Journalists was instituted. This day will be celebrated every 6^th October.

The idea is to encourage journalists to self-regulate their trade. The states are asked to promote the creation of self-regulatory bodies by the trade association instead of regulatory institutions created by governments.

By creating an African freedom of the press watchdog, African news professionals are looking to bring back dynamism to national watchdogs and creating such organisations in countries where there was none.

The Minister of Communication of Côte d’Ivoire, Affoussiata Bamba Lamine, promised to carry the message to her African counterparts in order for the resolutions of the Abidjan symposium organised by the Ivorian government to be put into application.