Strengthening Media Safety and Collaboration in Guinea-Bissau
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), in partnership with Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) and Fondation Hirondelle, held a national forum on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Dunia Hotel in Bissau. The event aimed to enhance collaboration between journalists, state actors, and security agencies, with a focus on ensuring the safety of media professionals ahead of the 2025 elections.
Organized under an EU-supported initiative titled “Promote and Protect Democracy by Safeguarding Freedom of Opinion and Expression and Combating Mis/Disinformation in Guinea-Bissau,” the forum sought to promote the adoption and implementation of the National Comprehensive Framework for the Safety of Journalists. This framework was developed by representatives from relevant state security agencies and media groups/associations, as part of a prior project led by MFWA and funded by the EU.
Key Discussions and Objectives
Central to the discussions were the roles and responsibilities of security services in enabling journalists to work freely and safely, especially during high-risk periods such as elections. Dr. Daniel Kwame Ampofo Adjei, MFWA’s Institutional Development & MEL Manager and PMP®, emphasized the importance of deepening trust and cooperation between the media and security services during his opening remarks.
“Journalists and security agencies are essential to a peaceful and democratic society. When journalists work safely and professionally, citizens are better informed; when security actors protect press freedoms, public trust in institutions deepens,” he stated.
As the 2025 elections approach, journalists in Guinea-Bissau continue to face challenges such as intimidation, physical attacks, cyber-harassment, and threats of media shutdowns. Participants stressed the need for clear communication channels, well-defined protocols, and rapid response mechanisms to prevent and address violations against media professionals in the field.
Open Dialogue and Shared Goals
The forum provided a platform for open dialogue on longstanding challenges and misunderstandings between journalists and security institutions. Discussions focused on improving coordination during protests, electoral coverage, and other high-risk assignments, as well as ways to strengthen accountability when rights violations occur.
The project’s broader ambition is to build trust and establish clearer, shared protocols for cooperation. Dr. Ampofo Adjei, who also serves as the Project Manager for the EU-funded initiative, expressed appreciation to both security actors and the media for their commitment to collaboration:
“We are grateful to the security services here today for their openness and commitment to constructive engagement. We also applaud the media for their continued professionalism, resilience, and dedication to informing the public despite significant challenges.”
He emphasized that advancing journalist safety requires sustained leadership, dialogue, and mutual respect among journalists, policymakers, and security institutions.
Support from International Partners
Carlos Abaitua Zarza, representing the European Union, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to protecting media freedom: “The protection of journalists is essential for freedom of information and for strengthening democracy. Security forces have an important role to play in ensuring that media professionals can do their work without fear, intimidation, or attack.”
Sadibou Marong, speaking on behalf of RSF, highlighted the value of cultivating non-adversarial relations between security actors and journalists: “We have realized throughout Africa that relations between the media and law enforcement agencies are often perceived as conflictual. Yet both sides perform useful work for the nation. There is no reason they should not sit together and talk in a courteous manner. The main objective today is to reach a consensus.”
Perspectives from State Institutions
Lieutenant Colonel Jorgito Biagué from the General Staff of the Armed Forces expressed confidence in the dialogue’s positive outcomes: “This dialogue will help us understand each other’s roles. It is an opportunity to seek truth and create a healthy environment for all.”
Superintendent Mário Samanango, representing the Public Order Police, welcomed the forum: “At times, incidents and cases of negligence from both sides occur in the field. I hope that these discussions will not be about pointing fingers, but rather about working together as professionals in different roles.”
Participation from Key Stakeholders
The participating state institutions included the Ministry of Interior for Public Order, represented by the Public Order Police and the Rapid Intervention Police; the Ministry of Defence, represented by the National Defence Institute and the General Staff of the Armed Forces; and the Ministry of Justice, represented by the Judicial Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The National Council for Social Communication also participated.
Media stakeholders included SINJOTECS (the Journalists and Media Technicians’ Union), AMPROCS (the Women Journalists’ Association), the Order of Journalists, and RENARC (the Community Radio and TV Association).