On February 12, 2026, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, organised a capacity-building workshop in Lomé focused on the digital and physical safety of journalists.
The one-day training formed part of the project “Promoting Press Freedom and Women’s Digital Rights in Togo.” The initiative aims to strengthen journalists’ capacity, particularly among women, to address physical and digital security risks while contributing to a safer and more inclusive media environment that respects human rights.
Twenty-five journalists from television, radio, online, and print media organisations based in Lomé participated in the workshop.
Training sessions addressed key digital risks facing journalists and introduced strategies for improving digital hygiene and resilience. Participants also examined Togo’s legal framework on digital and cyber-related issues. Additional discussions focused on reducing exposure to cybercrime, safety protocols when reporting in high-risk environments, personal security, and emergency preparedness.
The programme also explored ways to strengthen cooperation between journalists and security institutions, including practical recommendations for improving communication and coordination between the media and security forces.
The workshop opened with remarks from representatives of several institutions in Togo’s media and governance sectors. The Ministry of Communication was represented by Carole Kpeto, Director of the Centre de formation et de recyclage en communication. The Ministry of Security and Civil Protection was represented by Tchendo Kpatcha, Divisional Commissioner at the Ministry. The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) was represented by Olivier Yawo, Chief of Staff to the President of the HAAC. Eli Goka-Adokanu, Secretary-General of the Union of Independent Journalists of Togo (UJIT), also attended alongside media professionals.
In his opening remarks, Eli Goka-Adokanu described the workshop as an important opportunity to strengthen safety awareness within the profession, expressing the hope that the exchanges and practical sessions would contribute to a more resilient and better-protected media environment in Togo.
Vivian Affoah, Senior Programme Manager for Freedom of Expression and Digital Rights at the MFWA, encouraged participants to use the training as an opportunity to exchange experiences and strengthen professional skills, noting that the safety of journalists is central to responsible and sustainable journalism.
Olivier Yawo, representing the HAAC, stressed the importance of concrete measures to improve the protection of journalists. “A protected and respected journalist can inform without fear, with rigour and clarity,” he said. He highlighted the role of press cards as an instrument of professional recognition and protection, and noted ongoing efforts to strengthen training on issues including harassment, misinformation, and reporting challenges linked to terrorism and extremism.
Tchendo Kpatcha, representing the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection, welcomed the initiative and emphasised the State’s responsibility to ensure the protection of people, property, and public order. He also referred to efforts to strengthen human rights training for security personnel and the establishment of communication mechanisms intended to facilitate the reporting and handling of incidents involving journalists. “Protecting journalists is not only a legal requirement; it is a democratic imperative,” he said.
Carole Kpeto, representing the Ministry of Communication, noted that the protection of journalists is fundamental to the functioning of a free and credible press. She also highlighted the particular exposure of women journalists to online violence and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening protection mechanisms, improving risk prevention, and promoting digital security within the media sector.
Through the training, the MFWA seeks to strengthen the capacity of journalists to navigate evolving security risks while reinforcing professional standards and collaboration with relevant institutions. The organisation maintains that the safety of media professionals remains essential to the protection of press freedom and democratic governance in West Africa.
