Today, May 3, is World Press Freedom Day. Everywhere, including in democratic countries, it is in decline. In Haiti, where security chaos caused by gangs is rife, all institutions are targeted, even the dean of newspapers, The Nouvelliste. In 126 years, everyday life has gone through all the crises. But two weeks ago, it was the newspaper’s printing rooms in the center of Port-au-Prince that were vandalized. And the paper edition has since ceased.
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On the night of April 18 to 19, armed men burst into the premises of the News writer in the heart of Port-au-Prince Haiti. The team of journalists deserted them months ago, but the daily newspaper was printed in 30,000 copies every day.
“ Equipment and inputs – well paper, etc. – everything was stored in this room and this is what was vandalized, says Frantz Duval, the editor-in-chief, contacted by Aabla Jounaidi of international service. This is the first time that the newspaper does not have control of its presses. This is also the first time that there are entire neighborhoods in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince where journalists can no longer go. »
A thirst for information
Falling advertising revenue, and now stopping paper sales, the dean of newspapers is wondering about its future.
However, more than ever, assures Frantz Duval, Haitians are thirsty for information: “ It is a country which no longer has a theater, which no longer has a cinema, no more concerts. It’s a country where you can’t go out with your children to go to the park. And often, people are at home on their phones, looking for information, reading, watching a radio, listening to the endless debates on politics, but also the news bulletins. Information has become almost the only data available to the population, despite the difficulties, but above all because of the difficulties. »
On April 16, more than 90 members of the Haitian media, including journalists from News writer joined RSF for an international appeal so that Haiti does not turn into an information desert.
HAITI | RSF and more than 90 Haitian periodists launch an international campaign to protect the periodism 🇭🇹
▶️ The situation is extreme: reporters brought, aggregated, seconded and assigned, where they may have an informative desire.
— RSF España (@RSF_ES) April 17, 2024