Press House of Mali calls on Malian and Ivorian media to be more responsible
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The Press House of Mali has launched an urgent appeal to journalists, videomen, citizens, bloggers, opinion leaders, influencers and civil society to be more responsible in the dissemination of information.
The call follows the verbal blunders in the media, both in Bamako and Abidjan, in the wake of arrest in Mali of 49 Ivorian soldiers.
In a statement signed by its president, Bandiougou Danté, and issued on Saturday, the Malian media federation informed national and international opinion that, following the arrest of 49 Ivorian soldiers and a statement from the government of Mali, to which the Security Council of Côte d'Ivoire, chaired by President Alassane Dramane Ouattara, responded, tempers are beginning to flare in both countries via the press and social networks.
"We have noticed, with regret, verbal slippages of the videomen on both the Bamako and Abidjan sides. The press is increasingly disseminating a lot of information, often very contradictory," the statement said.
The Press House of Mali called for responsibility, respect for ethical and deontological rules to avoid aggravating the situation, and "invites journalists, videomen, citizens, bloggers, opinion leaders, influencers - men and women -, civil society), to be more responsible in disseminating information and to contribute to appeasement between the government of Mali and the state of Côte d'Ivoire".
It also asked press organizations and associations to play their part by inviting their members "to play the card of appeasement by avoiding rumours, invectives and fake news, in accordance with the requirements of our profession".
"The Press House reiterates its commitment to sound information, free of any propaganda on either side," the statement concluded.
As a reminder, on 9 July, the Malian government arrested 49 Ivorian soldiers at Bamako Sénou international airport, who had landed in Mali under unorthodox conditions, according to the Malian government, which described them as "mercenaries" who had come to destabilize Mali.
-0- PANA GT/JSG/BBA/RA 18July2022
