Press freedom crisis grips Mali and Burkina Faso amid rising attacks

In a united front, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and nearly 30 media outlets and human rights organizations have issued a joint appeal to halt the escalating violations of press freedom in Mali and Burkina Faso. The coalition’s open letter, addressed to national authorities, regional bodies, and international institutions, calls for an immediate end to the systemic pressures, threats, and intimidation targeting journalists in both nations.

a coordinated call for press freedom protection

Under the banner of RSF, journalists, media professionals, and advocacy groups have rallied to defend the fundamental right to information. Their letter emphasizes the urgent need for authorities in Mali and Burkina Faso to uphold their international commitments, particularly the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression and press freedom.

The initiative, launched ahead of World Press Freedom Day, underscores the critical role of independent journalism in safeguarding democracy. “The freedom to inform and be informed is the cornerstone of any society,” stated Sadibou Marong, RSF’s Sub-Saharan Africa Director. “Yet in Mali and Burkina Faso, journalists are operating under siege conditions, facing violence, censorship, and systemic repression.”

escalating threats and censorship

Recent months have seen a surge in attacks on media freedom in both countries:

• Mali: The Maison de la Presse in Bamako was ransacked on February 20, 2023. Journalist Mohamed Youssouf Bathily (Ras Bath) was arrested in March for criticizing the government, while Aliou Touré was abducted and held for four days. International outlets like RFI and France 24 have faced suspensions and expulsions.
• Burkina Faso: Military authorities have intensified crackdowns, including bans on foreign media and the suspension of local outlets like Joliba TV. The Superior Council of Communication (CSC) has publicly voiced concerns over recurring threats against journalists, while UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the “deeply troubling” conditions for media workers.

Social media has become a battleground, with pro-regime influencers amplifying hate campaigns, including death threats against critical voices. “The spread of misinformation and propaganda is drowning out professional journalism,” noted an editorial in L’Observateur Paalga, a leading Burkinabè newspaper.

global condemnation and calls for action

The letter, sent to African Union, ECOWAS, and UN officials, demands:

• An end to all measures restricting press freedom and access to information.
• Impartial investigations into attacks on journalists, with perpetrators held accountable.
• Protection for media professionals facing threats, harassment, or violence.
• Full adherence to international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Among the signatories: Local media like Joliba TV News (Mali) and Lefaso.net (Burkina Faso), regional groups such as the African Journalists Federation (FAJ) and the West African Media Foundation (MFWA), and international bodies like Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders.

a plea for solidarity in crisis

Journalists in Mali and Burkina Faso are navigating a complex landscape of security threats, political instability, and anti-democratic pressures. Despite risks, they continue to report on critical issues, from terrorism to economic crises. “The fight against terrorism cannot justify silencing the media,” the coalition argues. “Censorship only deepens ignorance and fuels instability.”