FasoMedias kicks off for another 24 months!

On 30 January 2017, 30 local representatives, 50 journalists and senior figures from the public and private media, civil society organisations and universities gathered at the FasoMedias 2 launch seminar at the invitation of CFI and its partner UNALFA (Burkina Faso's national union of free audiovisual media outlets).

This day of discussion showcased new activities under the FasoMedias 2 project, aimed at strengthening the role of the media in citizen-led control of public initiatives in Burkina Faso.

The emphasis will be on free citizens' discussion forums to promote effective dialogue with local authorities. This day was also an opportunity to set up a global cooperation framework around the project, which can be reproduced at local level, for voicing expectations and for defining areas of collaboration to encourage reputable governance.

"After strengthening the capabilities of the press in terms of professional coverage and promotion of the elections in 2015 and 2016, what could be more normal than seeking to accompany elected representatives in implementing the accountability exercise demanded by democracy and management of the state, the 'res publica'."
comments Communication Minister Rémis Fulgence Dandjinou.

In the wake of landmark elections at both national and local level, accountability on the part of elected representatives and decision-makers is now the prerequisite for greater democracy, claimed by ever-increasing numbers of stakeholders.

So, do the media, alongside civil society, need to take these issues on board and to carry and pass on citizens' political aspirations?
Certain actions are still to be defined in terms of the media and civil society, in partnership with local representatives.