“Against Forgetting: Biographies of Departed Pioneers of Mauritanian Journalism” is the title of a book of biographies—or rather in-depth pen portraits—recently published in Nouakchott by Joussour Abdel Aziz Publishing in an elegant French edition with a layout inviting readers in. Its author, investigative journalist and active participant in civil society and national media professional and union bodies Sidi Abdel Koddous Ahmed El Mekki, commendably set about dusting off the archives of this demanding profession. He draws on his vigorous talent, loyal professional instincts, Sisyphean patience and creative methodology in a serious attempt to light a candle against forgetting—or rather wilful neglect, which is utterly unjustifiable when it concerns media figures who burned themselves out to illuminate national public opinion and provide news, cultural, entertainment, guidance and marketing services around the clock over many years.
Our colleague Abdel Koddous succeeded in dusting off these gems and bringing media generations together. He skilfully traversed the corridors of forgetting to remind us of people who insist on remaining present despite their eternal absence.. Who among us does not remember their warm voices that delighted Mauritanian ears and stirred emotions in the early and middle periods of national radio? Their captivating appearances in television’s first years? Their beautiful writing savoured with morning tea? Those features, reports, news stories, investigations, commentaries, interviews, columns, editorials and presentations that covered the country, filled its inhabitants’ hearts, strengthened cohesion and sound citizenship, and met every media need in difficult times with modest resources but tireless resolve and a will that knew no impossibility?
They truly were the generation of media independence and knights of the word, defending the country on every front in difficult moments, conducting successful campaigns and winning great media battles. Thank you to Sidi Abdel Koddous Ahmed El Mekki for this wonderful initiative, which I hope begins a journey to preserve media memory and restore the pioneers’ standing. The author rightly dedicated his work to the late Mohamed Said Ould Hemdi, an experienced veteran who linked the independence generations with those after independence. Despite scarce sources and information, he also selected a quota sample representing all generations: journalists politicised against their will, politicians who practised clandestine and open journalism, ordinary practitioners cast by fate into the profession’s eye of the storm, media gatekeepers and opinion leaders. The sample could have been more representative had it included forgotten pioneers of clandestine and resistance media from 1901 to 1991. Nevertheless, it covered print, radio and television objectively and justifiably. I believe the names of Sidi Ould Cheikh, Mohamed Yahdhih Ould El Aqeb and Mohamed Ould Hamdan were omitted inadvertently, as most of their contemporaries were discussed within the available information.
Each deserves a book
Like veteran and former minister Mohamed Yahdhih Ould Breideleil, who in his wonderful foreword excused you for giving the late Mohameden Ould Hamdoun only one chapter when he deserved a whole book, I offer the same understanding regarding colleagues such as Hammoud Ould Hadi, Mohamed Ould Hammadi, Cheikh Tijani Ould Ahmed El Mekki, Coulibaly Souleymane and El Yedali Ould Cheikh. Each deserves a book for his professional standing, rich experience, high stature and dignified service to the state and society in every role with selflessness and detachment. Other readers of your valuable book are surely entitled to say the same of other pioneers: each of the 28 deserves a separate volume. Yet your investigative effort, remembered with gratitude and appreciation, has charted the road of loyalty, keeping commitments and promises, fulfilling trusts, recognising kindness and safeguarding affection and love. It is the path to preserving the media memory of our land of the beacon and the ribat, a path we must all follow if we are to learn from the past, consider the present and look towards the future.
Let those who wish to compete do so along this path that you have begun with loyalty and professionalism...
Ahmed Mostapha / journalist and former ambassador