In a review of his two-day visit to the province of Huambo, published this Sunday on the website of the Presidency's Press Center, João Lourenço, asked about interference in the work of journalists, noted that Angolan journalism "is growing and complying with the role that belongs to him".
"In the time of the single party, the journalism practiced at that time was very different from what is practiced today. Today there is freedom of the press, it is not only the State that owns media companies; the private sector is also in this niche market", he stated.
He also said that the State has made large investments in the media, but in the private sector it is the shareholders who must make the necessary investments.
"Private media is still a business – and a profitable one, at least in other parts of the world –, and it should be no different here. So, shareholders are the ones who have to worry about making the investments that are required in the your own business", he stressed.
Human Rights Watch pointed out in its most recent report, released last week, restrictions on press freedom and criticized authorities for "draconian" laws to repress and intimidate journalists.
He also addressed the topic of tourism, considering that neither the poor condition of the roads nor the devaluation of the currency constitute impediments.
"We've done tourism in other countries and walked on bumpy roads. There are tourists who prefer to stay on the beach, there are tourists who prefer to stay in big cities, in five-star hotels, but there are also tourists who like to get dust, rain, mud. Therefore, the condition of the trails ends up being challenging. For the tourist who likes adventure, the condition of the trails, trails and dirt roads is not a problem", highlighted the head of state.
Regarding the devaluation of the kwanza, which suffered a sharp drop last year, João Lourenço said that "there is no currency in the world that is 100 percent stable".
"Gone are the days of socialism, when some countries had a fixed exchange rate. They were exchange rates that were not realistic. Angola was one of the cases", continued the President, adding that the fixed exchange rate that was practiced for decades in Angola was also not good for the economy.
"It is not worth thinking that, at this exact moment when the kwanza is weaker in relation to the dollar, that it is a disgrace for the Angolan economy, nor is it an impediment to tourists coming to Angola", he considered.
He recalled that, with regard to tourism, responsibilities are divided between the State and private parties, with decisions such as visa exemptions for 98 countries, taken last year, being the responsibility of the executive and investment decisions being made by the private sector.
He also spoke about training and education, pointing out the role of churches in educational institutions, which he considered to be "true partners of the State".
