The Togolese Media Observatory (OTM) launched, on March 9, 2023, in Lomé, the project called ” Promoting freedom of expression and media and protecting human rights defenders in Togo “. Funded by the European Union (EU) and with the support of the Panos West Africa Institute (IPAO) and the NGO Women and Development (FAMEDEV), this project aims to strengthen the capacities of media actors and those human rights organizations with regard to their rights and responsibilities in the exercise of their function. It also wants to promote a legal and institutional environment conducive to the development of freedom of expression in Togo.
Togo is one of the West African countries with a fairly complete legal and institutional arsenal relating to freedom of expression, information and opinion. Indeed, the country is a signatory to several international instruments that protect freedom of expression and of the media. However, despite this favorable legal framework, the Togolese press struggles to achieve the freedoms guaranteed by these texts. This led the Panos West Africa Institute (PIWA), in partnership with the Togolese Media Observatory and the NGO Women and Development (FAMEDEV) to initiate the project: “ Promoting freedom of expression and media and protecting human rights defenders in Togo “. This project, which will be carried out over three years, will contribute to strengthening the promotion of freedom of expression in the Togolese civic space. The initiative will be delivered in two main streams. The first will concern capacity building for media players (journalists, press owners) regarding their rights and responsibilities in the exercise of this freedom of expression. The second component will promote a legal and institutional environment more favorable to the development/strengthening of freedom of expression and the media, but also for human rights defenders.
A discussion panel allowed all the actors present to identify the outline of the project and the activities that will be carried out over the three years.
In launching the project, the cabinet director of the Ministry of Communication and Media, Mr. Franck Missité, welcomed this initiative in line with government policy which advocates the promotion of all civil liberties. According to him, freedoms are the bedrock of a good democracy. In Togo, these freedoms which are a reality are enshrined in the Constitution. Everything is now a question of how everyone uses them for their development and well-being.
Promoting freedom of the press and the defense of human rights
For the Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Togo, Mr. Joaquin Tasso Villalonga, his institution is actively engaged in the consolidation of democracy and the promotion of human rights within it, but also of the whole world. ” It is in this context that we launched a call for proposals, a year ago, aimed at supporting projects in the field of fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression and freedom of association. “said Mr. Villalonga. According to him, the EU will follow with great interest the implementation of this initiative in the hope that the fruits can first benefit the whole corporation and then the democratic life of Togo.
For the president of the OTM, Mr. Fabrice Pétchézi, it is a project which straddles two themes, that of the promotion of freedom of the press and that of the defense of human rights. The execution of the project will be carried out through capacity building workshops, advocacy to bring public authorities to be favorable to the evolution of the environment, whether legal or media. ” We hope that with the implementation of this project, at the dawn of 2025, that there will be an evolution in the behavior of journalists firstly, with regard to compliance with the rules of ethics and professional conduct and also a much more favorable environment for the journalistic profession “said Mr. Pétchezi.
The new headquarters of the OTM inaugurated.
The administrative and financial director of PIWA, Mr. Adoulaye NDiaye, for his part, explained that the project is a response to the deepening of the freedom of expression of the media. According to him, many efforts have been made by the Togolese authorities by ratifying several international conventions that protect these freedoms. ” Very often, in African countries, journalists are challenged in relation to their publication. This is why we are going to try with the OTM to carry out a series of activities which will aim to strengthen knowledge of the rights and responsibilities in the exercise of this freedom of expression. “, did he declare.
Following this launch, the new headquarters housing the OTM, located in the Djidjolé district, was inaugurated by Ambassador Villalonga and other officials.
Alex TEYI
