This Sunday, May 3, as part of the World Day of Press Freedom, Michaëlle Jean, Secretary General of the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF), reiterates its call to the strict respect of this essential pillar of democratic life "as we celebrate the World Day of Press Freedom, just months after the attack against Charlie Hedbo, it is important to remember that in a democracy, only of Free Journalists, professionals, working safely can exercise their profession and inform the public objectively."

Ms. Jean noted with concern a sharp decline in press freedom in some parts of the world and especially in the Francophone where held in 2015 and 2016 major presidential election and where the journalists encounter more and more difficulties to freely exercise their profession.

Recognizing that freedom of the press is too often hampered during the elections, Michaëlle Jean recalls that "a democratic election is not only limited to voting. It depends largely on the information available to voters on all issues related to the process itself and on the programs offered by the various candidates. Only a free press can fully assume this responsibility."

It also highlights the urgent need for a substantive debate on press offenses, which are still punishable by imprisonment in several member states of the OIF.

Recall that in October 2012, at Kinshasa Summit as at the meeting in Dakar in November 2014, states and governments of the OIF, have committed to ensuring respect for freedom of the press, to ensure the conditions of exercise of this freedom and a real protection of journalists and other media professionals in the exercise of their trades.

HL/ HaitiLibre