On the orders of Fodé Bangoura, Minister and Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republicof Guinea, journalists were denied access to the GbessiaAirportin Conakry, to cover the return of General Lansana Conté from Genevawhere he had sought medical attention.
The journalists included those of the state and private media and correspondents of Radio France International (RFI) and the English Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Protocol and State Secretariat staff at the Presidency of the Republic, have for sometime, been using all manner of means to prevent journalists from attending any event where General Lansana Conté was attending.On the said date, the Red Berets of the Guinean Army drove away all journalists.
“We don’t need the press here. Go there!” they ordered. Only journalists of the press office of the Presidency were authorized to cross the barrier of the Red Berets for the press coverage.
