Risk of dismissal of Alain Foka: What is it about ?

The journalist of Radio France internationale (RFI) internationally renowned Alain Foka is on the verge of dismissal. Reason, the latter would have broadcast on his YouTube channel an interview carried out in the Democratic Republic of Congo not meeting the standards of ethics.

Despite the debates that are taking place on the web,  the management of Radio France Internationale has not yet officially pronounced on the dismissal or not of the journalist Alain Foka. Indeed, what is it really about? Alain Foka published on his Youtube channel a cross-interview on the Congo Hold-Up which is the name given to a vast investigation led by lawyer Henri Tulliez, which reveals the embezzlement by the Kabila clan of a sum of 138 millions of dollars of public funds.

So for having passed this interview with Jules Alingete, Congolese economist and inspector general of finance in DR Congo, who "questioned the investigation", the Cameroonian journalist is accused by CGT France Médias (a corporation to which the France channels belong 24 and RFI) of "disloyalty". Because the interview made public on the Youtube channel of the presenter of "Archives of Africa" ​​on RFI bore the logos of Radio France International and France 24. "We are all supposed to be held to the same ethical standards, bring contradiction where it is needed, back up our words with solid research. This interview does not only meet the ethical standards imposed on all, but it is being used as a weapon against a major public interest investigation ", can we read in the press release from CGT France Médias. The video was later deleted.

In response, Cecile Megie, Director of this RFI defends Alain Foka. " On the background, this interview is a reaction to the Congo Hold-Up survey conducted by the media and NGO consortium and the speaker's argument, even if it differs from what could have been declared at the microphone of Christophe Boisbouvier, does not have to be attributed to the interviewer [Alain Foka, editor's note] whose quality of work is irreproachable ", she wrote. However, she promises to ensure that the activity of this personal channel is not exclusive to RFI productions "In the future, in consultation with F24, and with Alain Foka, we will strengthen the coordination process around any interviews and magazines that may be carried out for the benefit of RFI and / or F24, as well as the one concerning the exchange of content between RFI's digital environments of Alain Foka's YouTube channel ... respecting the priority of our media ".

Solidarity obliges, featured host on RFI's antennas, Claudi Siar says he is resolved to pack up if his colleague is disembarked.

Bachirou ISSA