Two media regulators in Guinea, Djene Diaby and Tawel Camara, were sentenced to eight months in prison on Thursday for defamation after alleging that heads of popular media outlets accepted bribes from the ruling military junta. This ruling comes amid a broader crackdown on media freedom in the West African nation.
Diaby and Camara, commissioners of Guinea’s media regulator, the High Authority for Communication, were also fined 1 million Guinean francs ($116) each, according to their lawyer, Kemoko Malick Diakite, who plans to appeal the decision.
Background
In recent months, the junta has intensified its control over the media, banning four private radio stations and two private television channels in May. During the trial, prosecutor Mohamed Bangoura called for a one-year sentence, labelling the commissioners’ actions as ‘very serious.’ Defence lawyer Bakary Millimouno sought leniency, highlighting that his clients were ‘first-time offenders.’
On June 12, Diaby and Camara accused the owners of the banned media organisations of receiving money from the junta in exchange for favourable coverage. They claimed that despite the alleged payments, these media outlets continued to criticise the junta, leading to their eventual bans. Diaby and Camara were charged with defamation against the head of state and detained in Conakry’s central prison.
Appearing in court on Wednesday, both commissioners apologised and admitted they had no proof for their claims. Their earlier statements, recorded and shared on social media, included Diaby expressing a lack of compassion for the media bosses and asserting they received money from the presidency. The High Authority for Communication suspended Diaby and Camara for ‘gross misconduct’ on June 13.
Media reactions
The directors of Hadafo Medias, Djoma Media, and Frequence Medias, whose licences were revoked by authorities on May 22, announced they would file complaints against Diaby and Camara. These media outlets are among those affected by the junta’s media bans.
Context
Since the military coup in 2021, which overthrew elected President Alpha Conde, opposition voices in Guinea have been largely suppressed. This latest sentencing underscores the junta’s ongoing efforts to tighten its grip on information and stifle dissent.
The international community continues to watch the situation closely, as Guinea’s military rulers face increasing scrutiny over their actions against media freedom and civil liberties.
