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Media Reform – 2003

2003

Intermediate Implementation

Under the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, the transitional powersharing government was required to reform media regulation in order to ensure the neutrality of state media, eliminate xenophobia in the media, and establish the financial independence of the press. The Agreement stipulated that this was to be completed within a year. In addition, the government was required to restore the free broadcast of international radio and television.

BBC, Radio France Internationale, and Radio Nostalgie broadcasts all resumed by the end of February.^[1] The UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire (MINUCI) reported that the government authorized a media watchdog to sanction media hate speech. MINUCI’s report recommended a new press law to eliminate the financial dependence of much of the media on political parties. However, it does not appear the law was passed in 2003.

[1] “Report of the Secretary-General on Cote d’Ivoire.” United Nations (S/2003/374), March 26, 2003.