SECTOR 1

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in an accredited journalism school or recognised by the State or a oneyear professional internship;
researching, gathering, utilising and presenting information as their
main, regular and remunerated occupation.”

On fulfilment of these conditions, a journalist is issued a press card, which
supports him/her in his/her practice.
One of the panellists, however, underlines that no law infringes on the right
of an individual to work as a non-professional journalist since article 17 of the
Constitution gives citizens the right to choose their profession but he admits that
these working conditions are bound to be harsher (less or no remuneration, no
access to big events…) than practising journalism with a professional press card.

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score:

4.6 (2009: 5.0)

1.7 Confidential sources of information are protected
by law and/or the courts.
In line with the principles of the professional journalists’ Code of Ethics, which was
adopted on 29 August 1992 and initiated by the UNJCI (Côte d’Ivoire National
Union of Journalists) and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Law no. 2004643 in article 28 stipulates that “apart from the cases where the law imposes it,
professional journalists are not under the obligation to disclose their sources of
information.”
The panellists hence believe that the law protects journalists and that since the
case of the journalist Diégou Bailly (who, while protecting the source of a cartoon,
was found guilty by the courts) they are not aware of penalties imposed on a
journalist for refusing to disclose information.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER COTE D’IVOIRE 2012

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