Luanda: The latest Reporters Without Borders press freedom index, recently released, contains data that does not reflect the reality in Angola. This position was expressed by the National Director of Information and Institutional Communication, Joo Demba, who explained that the report is the result of an assessment of approximately 180 countries, based on political, economic, legislative, social, and security criteria, supported by questionnaires addressed to professionals and the organization's observations.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Angola has fallen nine positions compared to previous years, a situation that, in a preliminary analysis, stems mainly from political and economic indicators, as well as some reduction at the legislative level, while social indicators show little change. Joo Demba noted, however, that the report's argumentation has gaps and inaccuracies, pointing out, as an example, the indication that only two radio stations are considered independent in the country, namely R¡dio Ecclesia and R¡dio MFM, when there are several other private and independent stations in operation, such as R¡dio Cinco, R¡dio Despertar, R¡dio Marginal, and R¡dio Correio da Kianda.
The official also stressed that the report refers to the existence of only two public television channels, when Angola has three, namely TPA1, TPA2, and TPA Notcias. Regarding community radio stations, he clarified that these are included in the Press Law, following a review promoted by the Executive Branch, and the process of regulation for their implementation is underway, within the framework of adjusting to the new dynamics of the media sector.
With regard to access to information, the director rejected the existence of limitations, and gave as an example that, in the press conferences of the President of the Republic, Joo Louren§o, journalists have the opportunity to ask questions, within the defined organizational criteria. He also refuted the allegation of exclusion of private media outlets from the coverage of public events, assuring that the accreditation process is transparent and based on the principle of legality, in order to allow the participation of all duly registered media outlets.
On access to public sources of information, he highlighted the implementation of the National Institutional Communication Plan, adopted by ministries, provincial governments, embassies, and sovereign bodies, which reinforces the regular, timely, and continuous provision of information on Executive Branch programs and actions. He added that most public institutions have up-to-date electronic portals, which facilitates access to information, and he mentioned the holding of public sessions "Communicating for Angola," in which officials from different sectors provide clarifications and answer journalists' questions about the goals and objectives of the National Development Plan.
In general, Joo Demba considered that the results presented by the organization are based on data that, in essence, do not accurately reflect the current reality of social communication in Angola.