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Other articles in the RAP 21 Newsletter n° 69/2002:
The Business of Newspapers
A new African paper created in France
Young journalists for a young readership
Newsletter n° 69
THE BUSINESS OF NEWSPAPERS CONTENT & ETHICS

Inventing an African sense of humour

Le Marabout is distributed in nine countries: Bnin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Gabon, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. "The Marabout calls itself an ’African satirical monthly magazine... of Africa’ to underline our African identity, our international vocation and the establishment of the heart of our editorial staff on the continent," says Damien Glez, chief editor of the newspaper.

It concentrates on subjects that are important across the region. For example, in an article on nepotism, the magazines tried to show how "almost everywhere on the continent, familial circles of acquaintances of the chiefs of state are sometimes dangerously, involved in the management of the state power," says Mr Glez.

Le Marabout, with a monthly circulation of 10,000, relies on a minimum of investments, voluntary help and exchanges. There are no permanent employees.

It also has ambition, and intends to increase its geographic distribution. "We have, in terms of distribution in kiosks, a strategy of concentric circles from our logistic centre, Burkina Faso. The first circle contains nine countries and we hope, in a second step, to extend to all French-speaking countries in Black Africa. A third concentric circle could include white Africa and countries of the Diaspora," he says.

Le Marabout also uses the Internet in a strategy to attract new readers and to extend the distribution of the magazine to other countries. "The Internet site, which leads to subscriptions, allows us to test a wider public," says Mr Glez.

"Internet is a tool of promotion. It is also a forum of information ’security’, in case the paper version should be seized in any country. The newspaper is conceived on the continent, but the site is accommodated somewhere else, to have this ’absolute’ safety," he says.

The monthly is published in Burkina Faso by the African Network for the Freedom to Inform (Rseau africain pour la libert d’informer - Rali). This non-profit association, created in 1999, promotes freedom of information in Africa.

"Le Marabout has benefited quickly from citical praise, which has led to some world-wide publicity: Le Monde, Courrier international, Radio France international, TV5, CFI, BBC, Jeune Afrique-l’Intelligent, l’Autre Afrique, la Lettre du Continent, Charlie Hebdo and a lot of other titles. We use this promotion via Internet, via advertisement, and have just finished a commercial which will be broadcast on channel TV5, in exchange for advertising inserts," says Mr Glez.

More attention comes from prizes awarded to the magazine. In April, Le Marabout won the Democracy in French-speaking Africa 2002 Award. This award, offered every year by the newspaper La Tribune de Genve, recongnizes an African publication that has distinguished itself its commitment to democracy and human rights.
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