The General Directorate of Communication and Media (DGCM) will now handle the issuance of press cards and passes, following the transfer, on Wednesday, of the technical committee for the issuance of the press card from the Higher Council for Communication (CSC) to the ministry in charge of communication.
“The ministry in charge of communication is now hosting the technical committee for issuing press cards. This new anchoring was desired by the ministry in agreement with the CSC,” declared the representative of the president of the said committee, Nadège Yé.
The transfer of responsibility between the CSC and the DGCM took shape this Wednesday, October 30, 2024 in Ouagadougou with the transfer of archives and the signing of official documents.
According to Ms. Yé, since its creation in 2009, the technical committee for issuing press cards has been housed at the CSC following an agreement between this institution, the ministry in charge of communication and professional media organizations.
She stressed th
at it was in 2021 that this attribution returned to the ministry, through its general media directorate.
Given the importance of this committee for the proper functioning of the journalistic profession, she hoped that the authority would provide the structure with substantial resources to carry out its mission.
“During the 15 years of operation, one of the main difficulties the committee has faced is the lack of financial resources,” said Nadège Yé.
For the representative of the ministry in charge of communication, Fidèle Aymar Tamini, also secretary general, this transfer of responsibilities between the CSC and the ministry symbolizes not only a transfer of responsibilities, but also a commitment to promote freedom of the press.
According to him, this will help to better protect the rights of journalists and ensure transparency and efficiency in the issuance of press cards and passes.
He also praised the CSC for the exemplary work done so far in issuing documents to media professionals.
‘Your expertise
and dedication have been invaluable in ensuring continuity and quality of service during this period of transition,’ he added.
The representative of the CSC, Fousséni Kindo, indicated that the crisis which hit his institution in 2016-2017 seriously weakened the technical committee for issuing press cards.
He acknowledged the relevance of the transfer of the committee to the ministry and promised the CSC’s support for this new dynamic.
From 2020 to 2024, the technical committee issued 441 documents to journalists, including 429 press cards and 12 passes.
Source: Burkina Information Agency