The Windhoek Seminar: "Ten years on: Assessment, Challenges and Prospects"

Summary review

”The Windhoek Declaration adopted in Namibia on 3 May 1991 falls in line with the principle of the Universal Declaration of Human rights which acknowledges that information is a fundamental right, public property at the service of humanity.

For this right to be enjoyed fully, the Windhoek Declaration asserts the need for an independent press and encourages African States to “provide the constitutional guarantees necessary for press freedom” and for the emergence of a pluralistic press in the continent. In particular, the Windhoek Declaration recommends the elimination of all economic and legal obstacles to the establishment of new media outlets. It urges UNESCO and the international community to support the implementation of the principles outlined to ensure the harmonious development of the African press.

Ten years following the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration, the specific situation of the media in each country naturally varies across countries of the Central African subregion. This summary review covers Cameroon, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Gabon and the Central African Republic (CAR).

Progress has been made in each of these countries as regards improving the legal framework for media development. However, there remains a gulf between the Windhoek Declaration, the spirit of national laws and actual enforcement of such laws.”

The report reviews the situation in each country according to the following criteria:

1. Gains made in the practice of the profession of journalist in the Central African Region since the Windhoek Declaration
   

   The five countries of Central Africa covered by this study provide legal safeguards for press freedom, and the status of the journalist is more clearly defined compared to 1991, prior to the Windhoek Declaration.

2. Obstacles to press freedom
   

   In spite of the aforementioned legal provisions, many factors continue to impact negatively on press freedom in Central Africa.
   

   These are discussed in relation to the legal context and the socio political context.

3. The economic challenges of press enterprises in Central Africa
   
   The Windhoek Declaration for the development of an African Press encourages States to eliminate the economic obstacles to the establishment of new media outlets and recommends greater professionalism among publishers in the management of their enterprises.
4. Hesitant use of new information and communication technologies
5. The status of journalists and professional media organizations

Conclusion

”Ten years after the Windhoek Declaration, the situation of the press in Central Africa remains very difficult, in spite of its very dynamic independent media.

• The legal framework needs improvement to meet UNESCO standards.
• What with the precarious economic context, state assistance is required given that information is public property. Partnership with the international community and economic agents should be sought and strengthened.
• Journalist training is a priority in order to achieve greater professionalism in terms of content as well as management.
• Popularizing new information and communication technologies is more than ever before, a matter of urgency.

After painting this rather gloomy picture, it should at least be noted that the imprisonment of journalists is increasingly a rare occurrence. The journalists imprisoned are generally released before the end of their term thanks to the mobilization of press freedom and human rights activists. On that score, the Windhoek spirit is a decisive step forward.”