Guinea’s Referendum Campaign Opens Under Tight Media Controls

Guinea has officially launched the campaign for a contentious constitutional referendum, but the process is already marred by media restrictions. The overseeing High Authority of Communication (HAC) mandates that audiovisual media provide equal airtime to both sides of the debate. However, its rules have sparked a major outcry by banning coverage of any entities in legal conflict with the state, prompting outrage from the press union. Private outlets are also barred from hosting interactive programs, a move critics call a direct attack on free expression. The vote, set for September 21—coinciding with the coup’s fourth anniversary—proposes extending presidential terms to seven years, creating a Senate, and removing lifetime limits on presidencies. Amid political crackdowns and unmet election promises, many fear the referendum could cement military power rather than restore democracy.

 Africa News