Honorable guests,

Dear MAMAs 2022 winners

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

Once again, from the bottom of my heart, please accept my sincere and constant gratitude for the friendship that you all show me, despite your precious occupations, by accepting to attend these annual reunions to celebrate, not only our worthy laureates who have deserved their awards, but to get involved in the consecration of the most supreme of ideals, that of human dignity through social, economic development through the use of information and communication (ICT) to support governance, citizenship, human rights and democracy.

Admittedly, the MAMAs competition is intended to reward the best works that magnify cardinal values such as, among others, respect for others, freedom, love of neighbor, justice, equality, equity, tolerance. , peace, honesty, responsibility, loyalty, solidarity, trust.

We could indefinitely insist on the sacred importance of each of its values that we live daily, but we must admit that these virtues, which are the essential factors for living in a harmonious society, are not always scrupulously respected.

These values, you agree with me, are the fuels for the smooth functioning of our daily relationships. Each of them could be the subject of endless development to demonstrate their vital utility in the stability of life in society.

It would be tedious to give me an interpretation of each of these concepts. I would just like to dwell on the last value mentioned, TRUST. Confidence, it is said,  » is the lubricant that keeps energy and passion flowing smoothly . » It is the basis of any lasting relationship in society. It is the guarantor of belief in the other and the expression of the merit of this belief. It is the basis of all fidelity, as a couple and in society.

The journalist’s confidence is congenitally conditioned by his FREEDOM of approach in soul and confidence in the facts which are the subject of his treatment. The reason for being a journalist is based on freedom, which is a due in any society that claims to be democratic. Freedom is the pillar of democracy. It is the lifeblood that allows each individual to realize himself. To restrict the field of freedom is to open the way to repression, and if we are not careful, creates fertile ground for dictatorship. Freedom is an inalienable human right. Article “ 19 ” of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is devoted to it.

Journalism without freedom therefore has no raison d’être. But, it must be said and underlined, the use of freedom of expression imposes requirements enshrined in the old adage: “ my freedom ends where that of others begins” .  » Freedom , » said an eminent humanist of ancient times,  » unbridled freedom is always married to misfortune . »

We affirm, however, that freedom cannot and should not be equated with licentiousness which leads to anarchy, to the violation of the freedoms and rights of others. Licentiousness is a freedom that does not respect the law and established social principles.

Tuwindi, our organization, is dedicated to preserving freedom of the press. The laureates who are crowned today, like those of other years, were crowned in this spirit of worship of freedom of the press. Respect for freedom is the expression of the supreme sense of responsibility. “ Responsibility, says a contemporary author , responsibility means fully assuming the consequences of one’s actions and meeting one’s commitments and obligations within society. Responsibility as a value makes people aware of the implications, scope and critical aspects of their actions and decisions, which makes them more mature and ethical ”.

To our dear partners, Tuwindi expresses his deep gratitude for their unwavering support in our ambition to promote freedom of expression through the national media.

I appeal to your friendly understanding. Allow me to have an affectionate thought for Eve, my wife, Hawa SEMEGA, who left us on May 30, 2021. The believer that I am knows perfectly well that it is God who, in his infinite goodness, gives life; he is therefore free to take it back whenever he wants. As painful as the pain that grips me may be, I thank God for having given me the chance to share my life with such an exceptional being as Eve. I would like those who can have for her on this day which is also hers, a pious thought.

We extend our sincere congratulations to all our winners and invite them to persevere in respecting the standards of morals, ethics and deontology without which professionalism in journalism is just an empty word.

I would like to express my very sincere thanks to the eminent members of the jury whose dedication, integrity, moral and professional rigor constitute an invaluable guarantee of seriousness for the smooth running of the program. We thank you, dear friends, for your friendly and constant support!

Long live the freedom of the freedom of the press!

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, Thank you for your kind attention.