Ouagadougou, The 9th edition of the International Festival of Freedom of Expression and of the Press (Filep) started on Saturday, with the launch of the fair, noted the AIB.

“The 9th edition of Filep got off to a good start with the fair today, November 6,” said the coordinator of the Norbert Zongo press center, Abdoulaye Diallo, on Saturday.

For the Sales Director of Savane Média, Emmanuel Abissi, the fair recorded around sixty exhibitors against an estimate of 40 at the start.

“The Filep is the meeting of the media with the populations to work and it is a way of showing these populations that we are there for them and this fair makes it possible to pass this message”, underlined Mr. Abissi.

The international conference and the other activities of the 2021 International Festival of Freedom of Expression and the Press (Filep) will be held from November 10 to 13, said Abdoulaye Diallo.

This 9th edition of FILEP is held around the theme “At the crossroads of health, security, political and technological mutations crises, let’s build resilient media at the service of African citizens”.

It will mobilize several African participants including journalists and the Burkinabè public.

The participants will “reflect, explore the avenues and means to strengthen the media for more resilience in the face of multiple crises and mutations,” said the president of the National Press Center Norbert Zongo, Guezouma Sanogo.

Abdoulaye Diallo argued that 9 panels are planned this year with diverse themes.

These panels will be held on different sites in order to allow festival-goers to follow those that interest them the most.

The Filep closing ceremony, scheduled for November 13, will be marked by the awarding of the Norbert Zongo Prize for best investigative journalist.

Source: Burkina Information Agency