The Union of Journalists and Social Communications Specialists of Guinea-Bissau has set up a hotline to register violations of the rights of citizens and journalists, Indira Correia Balde, president of the union, said on Monday.
The union “decided to create a complaint line” because this is “a very difficult moment considering what happened in the last elections in 2019,” said Indira Correia Balde.
In Guinea-Bissau, the election campaign began on May 13, which will last until June 2, and legislative elections will be held on June 4, in which 20 political parties and two coalitions will take part.
Parliamentary and presidential elections were held in 2019.
According to the president of the union, in 2009 attacks on journalists were registered in the full performance of their duties, namely at press conferences of candidates, when supporters attacked the press with physical and verbal aggression.
“All these situations made us realize the importance of creating a complaint line as part of our project to promote quality journalists,” explained Indira Correia Balde, emphasizing that all those who have been attacked or harmed in the line of duty should denounce.
“Four years ago there were many situations that were not exposed. With this line, it’s easier for us to get the facts at the right time to position ourselves and make revelations at the highest level,” he said, hoping that the existence of a denunciation channel over the phone would reduce attacks on the press.