Below is a full text of an exclusive interview AfricaNews had with Jean-Francios Julliard, the Secretary General of the Reporters Without Borders.

How do you see journalism practice in Africa?

Independent journalism is very new in Africa. Many independent media appeared in the early 90's. So journalism practice is young in most of the African countries and need to be reinforced and developed. We are very worried for instance about the situation in Cote d'Ivoire where the press is free but instrumentalised by political parties. The result is we can read every day in the Ivorian newspapers false information, rumours and stories which incite hatred.

What do you think of Africa in terms of press freedom? And which African country can be said to be a shining star and why?

Africa doesn’t have such a bad record in terms of press freedom. On the continent there are the worse countries in the world like Eritrea for instance and among the best ones like Botswana, Namibia, Mali and Ghana.

In countries like Equatorial Guinea or Zimbabwe independent press does not really exist and local authorities control very closely the work of the journalists. It is very hard for foreign journalists to get a visa as well to visit these countries. In other ones like Somalia, the political climate is so bad that journalists have been murdered or kidnapped every year.

In Nigeria or Democratic republic of Congo, journalists can be beaten because they report about corruption or human rights violations.

On the other hand, most countries respect freedom of the press. In the countries mentioned earlier you can find a vibrant free press.

In the 2009 Press Freedom Index of the Reporters Without Borders, it's stated that Europe is longer an example when it comes to press freedom. How come?

Because European countries have forgotten to play their exemplary role, they don’t realize anymore how important it is to be exemplary and to respect drastically freedom values. So they don’t mind if a journalist is put in a cell for a few hours or if a newsroom is ransacked by police forces. They think it is a minor thing compared to other repressive countries. Of course, it is minor. But these small events are then being used by repressive countries to justify their own exactions.

What is your prescription for the improvement of journalism practice in Africa?

Journalism schools should be more efficient. They need more financial support to be able to provide efficient courses to the young journalists. African countries need as well more media regulatory independent bodies. Not the old media councils run by the authorities or people closed to the authorities. They need independent structures, able to have a real and good influence on the work of the journalists.

What are your final words to journalists in Africa?

Be courageous, independent and honest. Press freedom has to be fought for. Everyday. And Reporters Without Borders will always accompany you on this road.