Ouagadougou: Burkinabe newspapers are abuzz this Monday with reports on the government’s introduction of a patriotic immersion program for students and the impending adoption of a patriotic pact for the media, coinciding with the observance of World Press Freedom Day.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the state-owned daily Sidwaya headlines the government’s decision with “Compulsory patriotic immersion for those admitted to school exams.” This initiative was approved by the government during the Council of Ministers on Friday, May 2. Government spokesperson Pingdwend© Gilbert Ou©draogo stated that this measure aligns with the presidential initiative for quality education for all, specifically its 7th component, which focuses on school discipline and cleanliness.
L’Observateur Paalga, the dean of daily newspapers, elaborated that this compulsory patriotic immersion targets students who have passed the first cycle study certificate (BEPC), the professional aptitude certificate (CAP), and the Baccalaureate. The daily newspaper Le Pays added that the upcoming pilot phase, set to start this year, will involve students who pass the Baccalaureate in the forthcoming school exams. The specific duration and modalities of the immersion program are to be detailed in an official decree.
In a different vein, the newspapers also covered the topic of the press’s citizen participation amid a security crisis during a workshop organized by the High Council of Communication (CSC) for International Press Day. L’Obs highlighted the question, “A patriotic pact for the media soon?” This meeting served as a platform for media executives, journalists, and experts to contemplate their roles in combating terrorism and pursuing sovereignty.
As reported by Sidwaya, CSC President Lois Modeste Ou©draogo stated that the workshop’s objective was to better understand the structural challenges facing the press and to devise concrete solutions to enable it to fulfill its role effectively. One of the key recommendations from this gathering was the creation of a patriotic pact for the national press.
Le Pays noted that the aim of this pact is to reconcile the national press with itself, public opinion, and the authorities, fostering a cooperative relationship in these challenging times.