The Prime Minister and Minister of Territorial Administration and Local Government, Major General Abdoulaye Maïga, met with representatives of the Malian press.
This first interview aimed to strengthen a sincere and open dialogue between the government and the media.
The President of the Maison de la Presse, Bandiougou Danté, addressed three main issues during the meeting: press freedom in times of crisis, the revision of assistance texts for the media, and the finalization of capacity-building projects. Danté emphasized that support for the media should extend beyond financial aid to include training and access to essential services.
Criticizing the “bad communication campaign” against the press, Danté apologized to the Burkinabè people for comments aired on Joliba TV and sought the Prime Minister’s support in establishing a healthy media space, requesting specific assistance for this goal.
Prime Minister Maïga stressed that the press is a fundamental part of society, stating that media unity should be approached with a patriotic spirit during times of crisis. He also acknowledged that the concerns raised by the President of the Press House were legitimate and emphasized that the government is making significant efforts based on national priorities.
The Prime Minister highlighted the necessity of creating a healthy media environment, stating, “We are in a democracy,” and reminded that mechanisms exist to address potential abuses. Maïga urged media professionals to be more diligent and professional while also encouraging self-regulation.