Guinean female journalists reject decision to exclude RTP-Africa colleague from government act

The Association of Women Journalists of Guinea-Bissau condemned on Monday the “unacceptable violation of freedom of expression” and expressed solidarity with RTP-Africa colleague in Bissau, Indira Correia Baldé, who was banned from covering activities related to political power.

In the denial statement, which Lusa had access to, AMPROCS refers to the “expulsion and obstruction of Indira Correia Balde” from covering government activities on August 22 at a hotel in Bissau.

The incident occurred when interim Health Minister Maria Inácia Sagna left the room after noticing the presence of a journalist, who was later asked to leave the area.

“According to available information, the minister’s adviser stated that the action was undertaken in compliance with an order from a higher authority,” the AMPROCS statement said.

Correia Balde said the minister’s adviser told her that a “high order” would come from Guinean President Houmaro Sissoko Embalo that the journalist could not participate in any government activity.

The Association of Women Journalists of Guinea-Bissau considers this act “a flagrant and unacceptable violation of freedom of expression and human rights” enshrined in the Constitution and international treaties initialed by the country.

The organization emphasizes that it does not allow the voice of any of its members to be silenced.

“Indira Correia Balde is not only an exemplary professional, but also a leading member of AMPROCS, and any attack on her person and the conduct of her work is an attack on us all,” he stressed in his statement.

The organization demands that the authorities take decisions to ensure that such actions are not repeated in Guinea-Bissau.

Indira Correia Balde is the president of the Union of Journalists and Social Communication Specialists (Sinjotecs) of Guinea-Bissau, which has a rather tense relationship with the country’s president.

Umaro Sissoko Embalo said during the inauguration of the new members of the government that he had not given orders to prevent the journalist from covering the activities of the executive branch, but had forbidden her “from entering the palace while he is president of the republic.”

Sinjotecs accuses Guinea’s president of “disrespect for the role of journalists” after several episodes of “Sissoko Embalo” with media representatives.

In July, the union called on journalists to boycott all Sissoco Embaló activities, although this call was not fully heeded.

In response, Guinea’s president said he himself had boycotted the journalists and their union “because it was illegal,” referring to the expiration of Correia Balde’s leadership.