French-speaking regulators convene for working session on media and digital platform regulation
Date: 2025-01-29
The Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy (MCTN) has organized a working session aimed at exploring innovative models for regulating media and digital platforms. The event brought together key stakeholders from French-speaking regulatory bodies, members of the Coordination of Press Associations (CAP), governance institutions, the National Press Card Commission, CORED, and CESTI.
The
session provided a platform for dialogue and exchange of best practices in
media and digital regulation, focusing on the evolving challenges presented by
the convergence of traditional media and digital platforms. Discussions were
enriched by the participation of distinguished contributors, including Mrs.
Latifa Akhabach, President of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication
(HACA) of Morocco; Mr. René Bourgoin, President of the HACA of Côte d’Ivoire;
and Mr. Roch-Olivier Maistre, President of ARCOM of France. Their insights
offered valuable perspectives for shaping effective regulatory frameworks.
One
of the central themes of the session was the need for a new independent
administrative authority with comprehensive jurisdiction over all forms of
information dissemination, including digital platforms. This authority is
envisioned to address regulatory gaps, adapt to the rapid evolution of digital
media, and ensure accountability in the digital ecosystem.
The
MCTN highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among
French-speaking regulators to foster a coherent and harmonized approach to
media and digital platform regulation. By drawing on the experiences of
Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, and France, the working session underscored the value
of collective efforts in crafting policies that safeguard press freedom while
ensuring responsible digital governance.
This
initiative reflects the MCTN’s commitment to modernizing media regulation and
strengthening the governance of digital platforms to meet the challenges of the
21st century. It also aligns with broader goals of promoting transparency,
accountability, and the protection of public interest in the rapidly changing
information landscape.
The
working session concluded with a call for sustained engagement among
participating entities to finalize the establishment of the proposed
independent administrative authority, signaling a significant step forward in
the regulation of media and digital platforms in the French-speaking world.
By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
