The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aichatou Mindaoudou, on Wednesday, 20 November 2013, met with the Chairman of the National Press Council, Mr. Raphaël Lakpé, to discuss several issues, especially those pertaining to the recent events involving journalists in Côte d'Ivoire, and collaboration between UNOCI and the Council in the interest of media professionals.



"I took the opportunity during my visit to inquire about the circumstances surrounding the cases of the two journalists, one of whom was killed, while the other was kidnapped," said the Head of UNOCI after the meeting at the headquarters of the national institution.



Mrs Mindaoudou also said that she had expressed her concerns over the tone adopted by certain press in the reporting of the two incidents, as she felt that this could jeopardise the national reconciliation process and the current peaceful environment.



During the discussions, the Special Representative stressed the importance of a free press in building a democracy, accompanying the national reconciliation process and the return to lasting peace. "We discussed the responsibility of journalists in accompanying the citizens and providing them with reliable information," said Mrs Mindaoudou, adding that she also reiterated UNOCI's determination to continue to support the National Press Council in its efforts to establish a responsible and apt press to accompany the current process in Côte d'Ivoire



Mr. Lakpé welcomed the visit of the Special Representative. "We have been waiting for this visit and we welcome it because as everyone knows, we have always had close and dynamic relations with UNOCI and Mrs Mindaoudou has confirmed that we are going strengthen them," he told journalists. Mr. Lakpé said that after his discussions with the Head of UNOCI, he remained confident that the two institutions will continue to work together as they have done in the past.