SECTOR 2

The media landscape, including new
media, is characterised by diversity,
independence and sustainability.
2.1 A wide range of sources of information (print,
broadcasting, internet, mobile phones) is accessible
and affordable to citizens.
The landscape of the printed press is characterised by a diversity of publications.
In effect, Côte d’Ivoire has 75 publications issued by 66 press companies. The
publications comprise of 22 dailies, 29 weeklies, 3 bi-weeklies, 19 monthlies, 1
bi-monthly edition, alongside several press agencies of which the most important
are l ‘Agence Ivoirienne de Presse (AIP) and Alertes Info. All these publications are
regulated by the Conseil National de la Presse (CNP), excluding the only regional
press agency (APA news) and the international agencies.
Despite their diversity, newspapers are not readily available to the average Ivorian.
The cost of a newspaper is fixed at 300 francs CFA (USD 0,50) the equivalent of
two loaves of bread. According to one panellist, as most citizens claim that they
buy only that which they need, they do not buy the newspaper. Accordingly,
it is said that the state has resigned from its mission to sustain the distribution
sector, which, together with printing, account for almost 80% of resources of
press companies.
These difficulties are such that in a town like Odienne (867km North West of
Abidjan), in order to have the national daily Fraternite Matin, one has to wait 2
days. The printed information arrives outdated In order to travel from Abidjan, the
economic capital, to Naissan, a town in the northeast; one has to spend one night
on the road. The prefect of Naissan requests that all its newspapers be stored at
Bondouko (north east) where he collects them every Saturday. After all is said and
done, the newspapers reach only 40% of the national territory. Their rate of sales
remains low with 80% of sales taking place in Abidjan alone.
The community radio stations comprise between 155 and 200 radios across the
national territory. In the central north east alone, there are about sixty local radio
stations. Every district in Abidjan, the economic capital, has at least one radio
station in addition to the two public radio stations (RTI on frequencies 1 and
2). To this is added the regional network of RTI at Bouake in the centre of the
country. The national radio covers approximately 80% of the national territory
whilst the community radio stations are already limited in their range. In Naissan,
for example, the area is not covered by the national radio service. In order to
watch national television there, one requires a satellite disk.

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Côte d’Ivoire 2016

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