African Editors Decry Press Repression

The African Editors’ Forum (TAEF) has condemned the troubling deterioration of press freedom by military authorities in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.

In a statement signed yesterday by TAEF President Churchill Otieno, the forum expressed concern over the resurgence and intensification of media repression in these three Sahel countries.

He stated that the military authorities in these nations have effectively shut down the media space, stifled freedom of expression and the press, and become increasingly hostile to journalists.

Otieno urged the military authorities in Burkina Faso to release the media, allow them to operate freely, and ensure the safety of all journalists in the country.

He also raised the alarm that several international media outlets, including the BBC, VOA, RFI, TV5, Deutsche Welle, Radio Vatican, Le Monde, and Libération, as well as local media such as Radio Omega and L’Evènement, have either been closed or suspended in Burkina Faso.

He highlighted that under President Traore’s watch, there has been an aggressive nationwide campaign to silence critical journalism and freedom of expression, with reports of journalists and human rights defenders being kidnapped.

TAEF noted that it has become common for reporters covering protests in these countries to be threatened or subjected to violence.

He emphasised that it should be recalled that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This move was in response to ECOWAS suspending the three countries after military takeovers in August 2021 in Mali, September 2022 in Burkina Faso, and July 2023 in Niger.

According to TAEF, the deterioration of the political and security environment has led to increased pressure on journalists and self-censorship, worsening conditions for journalism and access to diverse media.

He emphasised that this has forced news organisations, fearing for their safety, to resort to publishing news and information favourable to the military leaders, creating an atmosphere that has gradually overshadowed critical reporting.