Following the country’s endorsement of the International Partnership for Information and Democracy, the Forum and Mauritanie Perspectives, a public policy think tank, co-hosted a high-level multi-actors dialogue in Nouakchott on 29 and 30 April 2025. The 2-day panel discussion brought together representatives of governments and regulatory authorities, journalists, lawmakers, researchers and civil society experts.
In December 2024, Mauritania became the 55th country of the Partnership for Information and Democracy, and the 6th member from the African continent. Since then, the Forum on Information and Democracy has worked with the country and involved them in the activities of the Partnership, notably its two workstreams.
It has also worked with Mauritanie Perspectives, a public policy think tank based in Nouakchott, to conduct research on the challenges facing its national information ecosystem, with the goal of defining joint actions to create a more diverse and democratic media environment.
The event opened with remarks from Mr. Amadou Sall, President of Mauritanie Perspectives, Mr. El Houssein Ould Meddou, Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, and Mr. Camille Grenier, Executive Director of the Forum on Information and Democracy.
Key Insights
The first day offered an overview of the diagnosis and challenges of the information ecosystem in Mauritania.
Day 1 – Overview and challenges of the information ecosystem in Mauritania
The first panel of the day drew an overview of the information ecosystem in Mauritania, divided in two sessions.
The morning session opened with a call to build on Mauritania’s position as the leader in media freedom in Africa and the Arab world, as highlighted by RSF 2024 report. Speakers emphasized the clear progress made under Mauritanian President Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani, while acknowledging the preoccupying situation in which media freedom in Mauritania is remaining.
Elaborating on this, speakers of the next session presented the preliminary results of the study underlining the persistent challenges to which is faced the information ecosystem in the country: limited media plurality, fragile access to information, and the spread of disinformation.
The afternoon session explored the role of media and of regulation of Mauritania’s democracy process. Participants evaluated the existing regulation mechanisms and outlined areas in need of reform. The ethical challenges of regulation were highlighted, pinpointing the need to balance governance with individual rights and digital privacy.
Closing the day, the final panel explored the intersection of artificial intelligence with journalism. Speakers discussed both the opportunities and ethical challenges it raises, and the inclusion of its regulation in the national digital development strategy.
Day 2 – Defining recommendations and action priorities
The second day focused on identifying the priorities to address and specific areas in which to adapt the Forum’s recommendations.
A first round of working groups identified priority issues, including:
- the need for independent and economically viable media to promote access to quality and transparent information, mentioning the role of AI in hindering media transparency, and
- the fight against disinformation, to conduct thanks to media education, and an ethical framing of the use of AI in the creation and diffusion of information.
A second set of working groups drafted the strategic roadmap to pursue further the construction of a free, clear and democratic information ecosystem.
- One group outlined a stronger regulatory framework to regulate and govern the information space, ethically and inclusively of all concerned actors, and
- another focused on promoting responsible journalism, by safeguarding freedom of expression, editorial independence and a secure operating environment for media actors.
The participants, including the Ministry of Culture, agreed to develop a national roadmap for information and democracy. The Forum on Information and Democracy will support the continuation of this work in cooperation with the Ministry and all local partners.
Representatives from the Mauritanian Ministry of Culture, Arts, Communications and Parliamentary Relations concluded the 2-days event by acknowledging the observations, recommendations and action priorities to further the work of civil society for a free, healthy and ethical information ecosystem in Mauritania.
