President of Republic Receives Final Report of Media Reform National Committee
The President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, received the final report of the national committee for reform of the media sector.
The report was submitted by the head of the committee, Mr. Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Weddady, and the following members of the committee:
– Abdallahi Ould Mohamedou
– Alassane Samba Ngaidé
– Kissima Diagana
– Aichetou Ahmed Bilal.
After the meeting, the chairman of the committee, Mr. Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Wedaddy, made a statement, including a speech addressed to His Excellency the President of the Republic, to the Mauritanian News Agency:
“Your Excellency Mr. President,
On behalf of the national committee for the reforms of the media sector that you appointed on July 21, 2020, I am honored to present to you its final report on media reform.
The report consists of an introduction and a summary that includes a draft road map and four chapters:
– Introduction
– The beginning
– The diagnostic
– Suggestions and solutions
Through this chapters, the Committee presents 64 proposals for the solution of the field’s problems, which are detailed in 20 annexes.
The main recommendations and suggestions include:
– The preparation of a comprehensive code of press laws that are in force and those suggested by the committee and highlighting the need for the urgent implementation of what is already approved, particularly what is related to specifications, engagements, and programs ‘contracts.
– Legalization of the Code of Ethics and the revival of the press card decree and related texts.
-Ensuring access to sources of information.
-The establishment of a national institute of information and communication techniques.
-The establishment of a national information council.
– improving governance and review the powers of the Board of Directors and general managers of media organizations
– Transition from analogue to digital terrestrial, providing the suitable infrastructure and ensuring a broader coverage.
– Mobilizing and diversifying financial resources to sustain the media field funding and improve the conditions of its employees.
Thanks to your help and leadership, we managed to accomplish this task. In this context, we have been tremendously helped by all governmental institutions. Such contributions were indispensable, thus we want to express our gratefulness”.
The meeting took place in the presence of Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine, president of the republic’s cabinet manager.