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Dr. Silué and Mr. Dié Kacou during the conference (Photo: Yacouba Soro/US Embassy)

Conference on the Practice of Journalism

A select group of Ivoirian journalists from both public and private media urged their colleagues not to serve as “the mouthpieces of political leaders”. More than 40 journalists gathered on February 26, 2007 at the American Embassy in Abidjan for a discussion about the Nouveaux Horizons book entitled: “The Reporter’s Handbook”, co-written by Henry H. Shulte and Marcel P. Dufresne.   

Initiated by the American Embassy, the conference gave the speakers, Dr. Silué S. Jacques, Director of the Institute of Sciences and Communication, and the moderator, Mr. Eugène Dié Kacou, President of National Press Council, opportunities to scrutinize the role of the media and discuss ideas to strengthen free and independent journalism in Côte d’Ivoire.

They also emphasized the important role the media will be called upon to play in the upcoming elections in the country. Discussions focused on the links between politics and journalism, and on questions concerning respect for citizens’ privacy. Regarding these two issues, participants and speakers tried to decide how the American experiences detailed in the book can help change the situation facing journalists in Côte d’Ivoire.