Guinean media seek 15 billion franc subsidy
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Guinéenews
Guinea’s Federation of Employers of Media Professionals is asking for the annual public subsidy to the media to be raised from 3 billion to 15 billion Guinean francs. Its president Amadou Tham Camara cited the depreciation of the Guinean franc and rising costs during a meeting with the High Authority for Communication on 30 October, according to Guinéenews.
The Federation of Employers of Guinea’s Media Professionals (FEPAP-GUI) is calling for the state’s annual subsidy to the press to be increased from 3 billion to 15 billion Guinean francs. Its president, Amadou Tham Camara, made the demand on Friday 30 October during a visit to the headquarters of the High Authority for Communication (HAC), according to Guinéenews.
FEPAP-GUI considers the increase necessary because of the depreciation of the Guinean franc, rising costs for media companies and changes in the media landscape. The subsidy has been unchanged since 2009, when one US dollar was worth about 3,000 Guinean francs, compared with nearly 10,000 today, Amadou Tham Camara explained, quoted by Guinéenews.
The press employers’ organisation is also asking the state to tax major digital platforms, notably Facebook, Google and TikTok, which capture part of advertising revenues. It proposes that some of the income from this taxation be used to fund traditional media, which face competition from these platforms.
The demand comes amid a review of Guinea’s public finances. On 24 October, the government announced a revision of the 2026 budget to protect purchasing power.
