PressBridge

Media scholar and veteran journalist Cyriaque Paré unveiled two new publications in Ouagadougou on May 2, 2026, offering a deep reflection on the evolution of journalism in Burkina Faso and the pivotal role of the media during the October 2014 popular uprising. Through these works, the author revisits questions of professional ethics, collective memory, and the growing influence of social media in shaping political history.

The book launch took place at the Centre national de presse Norbert Zongo on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, drawing a diverse audience of journalists, academics, and media enthusiasts.

The first book, “Henri Sebgo or Journalism According to Norbert Zongo,” explores the life and legacy of Norbert Zongo, a prominent investigative reporter assassinated in 1998. Spanning nearly 200 pages, the work retraces his early calling, unwavering commitment to press freedom, and the origins of his pen name, “Henri Sebgo.” Through testimonies and detailed research, Paré highlights Zongo’s most impactful investigations and his strict adherence to journalistic rigor.

For presenter Ousmane Paré, the book serves as a reminder of the standards that should guide the profession, urging journalists to remain disciplined, factual, and ethically grounded regardless of pressure or context. Having once worked closely with Zongo, Cyriaque Paré also uses the publication as a personal tribute to a figure he regards as a cornerstone of investigative journalism in Burkina Faso.

The second volume, “Media, Social Networks and the October 2014 Popular Uprising in Burkina Faso: Revisiting a Social Movement,” offers a comprehensive analysis of how traditional media and digital platforms influenced one of the country’s most significant political turning points. The 2014 Burkina Faso uprising is examined through a decade of data collection and analysis, resulting in a 500-page study that dissects how information channels shaped public mobilization, accelerated political change, and amplified citizen voices.

According to academic Abdoul Karim Saidou, the book brings fresh insight into the dynamics of the uprising and contributes to a better understanding of the political transformations that followed.

Speaking at the event, Paré emphasized that both works are grounded in three core principles: intellectual rigor, fidelity to facts, and a strong sense of civic responsibility.

Published by Mercury Editions, the books are available at 5,000 CFA francs for the first title and 10,000 CFA francs for the second, targeting readers interested in journalism, history, and the intersection between media and political change.