How can journalists investigating environmental issues be better shielded in a landscape often fraught with insecurity and pressure? That central question brought together around 20 media professionals from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad on Monday, June 8, 2026, in N’Djamena.

Hosted at the Centre d’Études et de Formation pour le Développement (CEFOD), this regional workshop was organized by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The initiative aims to bolster environmental journalists’ understanding of their rights while providing practical tools to navigate the risks inherent to their profession.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Gassim Chérif Mahamat, Minister of Communication and government spokesperson. Addressing the attendees, he underscored the vital role media play in raising public awareness on environmental matters and called for a conducive atmosphere for journalism to thrive.

Throughout the session, participants will explore topics spanning legal safeguards for journalists, physical and digital security, and the unique challenges of covering environmental stories. The discussions also offer a platform for sharing experiences among professionals from across the Sahel region.

Ndeye Diary Ba, RSF’s project officer for sub-Saharan Africa, noted that the gathering addresses a growing demand for protection among journalists focused on environmental reporting. In a region grappling with climate change effects, dwindling natural resources, and persistent insecurity, these reporters are increasingly called upon to inform communities about sensitive issues.

Scheduled over several days, the workshop is expected to yield recommendations aimed at enhancing the safety of environmental journalists and fostering a more protective legal framework in Sahelian countries.