• Guinea’s media regulator warns against covering banned opposition parties
• Journalists’ union slams move as threat to free expression
• Dispute unfolds during campaign for Guinea’s constitutional referendum

Guinea’s media regulator is facing backlash after its president urged journalists not to give airtime to political parties deemed unlawful, a move press advocates say undermines free expression during the country’s constitutional referendum campaign.

Boubacar Yacine Diallo, head of the High Authority of Communication (HAC), told reporters in Conakry on Aug. 27 that media outlets should refrain from covering political groups and organizations “in conflict with the law.” The remarks, made during a meeting aimed at clarifying rules for the referendum campaign, were widely seen as targeting three opposition parties suspended earlier in August for organizing anti-government protests.

The protests had accused junta leader Gen. Mamady Doumbouya of seeking to entrench his rule.

Yao Noël, president of the Union of Journalists of the Free African Press (UJPLA), condemned the HAC chief’s comments, calling them “incomprehensible” and warning they would stifle debate. “The transitional charter itself guarantees everyone the right to speak,” he told RFI.

Diallo defended his stance, insisting he had not banned access to media but was reminding outlets of their responsibility to avoid airing views from unrecognized or illegal entities.

The dispute comes as Guinea begins campaigning for a Sept. 31 referendum on a new constitution, a vote seen as pivotal in shaping the country’s political future.

This article was initially published in French by Servan Ahougnon

Adapted in French by Ange Jason Quenum