The Mauritanian Journalists’ Union opened an international seminar in Nouakchott on Sunday 12 June 2022 on press freedom, journalists’ protection and their safety during field reporting.
The seminar is organised in cooperation with the Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties and Human Rights and in partnership with the United Nations Centre for Human Rights Training and Documentation.
Dozens of professional journalists from Mauritania, alongside a group of journalists from various Arab countries, are participating in a training course organised alongside the seminar.
In his opening address, the Minister of Culture, Youth, Sports and Relations with Parliament, Khtar Ould Cheibani, said that the absence of journalists imprisoned for their opinions is one expression of press freedom in Mauritania.
He said that the Government is working hard to achieve numerous gains for the national press by strengthening freedoms, developing the legal framework, institutionalising media organisations and supporting them.
The minister added that the Government is also working to overcome training, professionalisation and equipment challenges that stand in the way of media development in the country.
He also confirmed the start of implementing the Press Reform Committee’s recommendations through new legislation and amendments to laws concerning the press card, the High Authority for the Press and Audiovisual Media, and the requirements of the institutional framework.
For his part, Union President Ahmed Taleb Ould Maâloum said that the seminar is an opportunity to introduce the country, its progress in freedom of expression and liberalising the audiovisual sector, and the goals and results achieved in human rights.
Ould Maâloum added that, alongside the results already achieved for journalists, the Union seeks further gains in service of their material and moral rights and to help advance press freedoms, creating a national public opinion capable of influencing and shaping the landscape.
He called on official authorities and human rights stakeholders to contribute to making this endeavour a success.
In addition to Culture Minister Khtar Ould Cheibani, the opening ceremony was attended by Human Rights and Humanitarian Action Commissioner Cheikh Ahmedou Ould Ahmed Salem Ould Sidi; the President of the High Authority for the Press and Audiovisual Media, Dr El Houssein Ould Medou; the President of the National Human Rights Commission, Ahmed Salem Ould Bouhoubeyni; the President of the Mauritanian Writers and Authors’ Union, El Khalil Nahoui; and heads of several public and independent media organisations.