The decision to revoke Franck ETTIEN's Professional Journalist Identity Card (CIJP) has sent shockwaves through the Ivorian media landscape. Amid procedural irregularities and suspicions of political interference, Firmin YOHA, a researcher in Modern Literature, analyzes the move, highlighting its shaky foundations.

A contested legal basis

According to observers, the Joint Committee exceeded its authority. The cancellation of the card is based on several major flaws:

1. Incompetence and erroneous legal basis: The articles invoked (article 29 of the law on the press and article 11 of the decree relating to the CIJP) deal with the granting or withdrawal under strict conditions, but would not justify, in this specific case, a pure and simple annulment.
2. Violation of the right to a defense: The principle of adversarial proceedings was allegedly ignored. Franck ETTIEN was not given the opportunity to explain himself or present his arguments before the verdict, a procedural flaw with serious consequences.

The shadow of the UNJCI election

Beyond the legal aspects, it's the timing that raises questions. This decision comes as the election for the presidency of the National Union of Journalists of Côte d'Ivoire (UNJCI) is fast approaching.

"The measure appears more like a political maneuver than a legal sanction." — Firmin YOHA.

For many, the objective seems clear: to eliminate a troublesome candidate from the election. By combining a blatant abuse of power with procedural irregularities, this decision undermines the impartiality of press regulatory bodies.

Analysis of the 4 pillars of the protest

Vice raised	Description of the grievance
Skill	The Joint Committee is said to have acted outside its usual scope of action.
Legal basis	Using inappropriate texts to justify the cancellation.
Procedure	Complete absence of a hearing with the person concerned (failure to respect the principle of adversarial proceedings).
Intention	Suspicion of abuse of power for electoral purposes.