In the lead-up to the upcoming elections in Guinea-Bissau, a media crackdown has intensified, raising concerns about press freedom. Many media organizations are struggling to pay the $5,000 licensing fees demanded by the government in order to continue broadcasting. Many radio stations have been unable to raise the fee needed to secure their licenses before the elections.

This issue has surfaced before, and in response, the Forum of Private Media Organizations, or FOCSP-GB, prepared a counterproposal to present to the government.

The proposal suggests that media organizations, including commercial radio stations in Guinea-Bissau pay $3,000 for a license, with a $1,000 biannual renewal fee. For community radio stations, the proposal suggests a one-time payment of $500 for a license, with no need for renewal, acknowledging the important role these stations play in their communities. The government has yet to comment or respond to the proposal.

Many radio stations have been unable to raise the $5,000 needed to secure their licenses before the elections.

Freedom House and other watchdog organizations have documented a hostile environment for the media, including attacks on private radio stations and forced closures.

The country is expected to hold parliamentary elections on November 24 following the dissolution of its previous parliament.

In December last year, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who took office in 2020, dissolved the opposition-led parliament after alleging coup d’etat.