Most countries in West Africa have decriminalised press offences, particularly defamation. However, cybercrime or electronic communication laws, false publication and other public order laws are used to muzzle the media and activists. Sometimes, powerful entities use existing laws to intimidate, harass and/or threaten journalists and the media with the aim of silencing them. This is often done through arrests, detention and prosecution.
In recent times, environmental activists and journalists, in particular, have come under a lot of legal harassment, including SLAPPs as a result of their increased reporting on destructive environmental practices which have also become more prevalent in recent times due to increased illegal mining activities. A lot of such environmental advocates are being cowed into self-censorship because they do not have the financial means to fight back and/or do not have the knowledge of how to pursue their work without falling into legal challenges.
In response to this challenge, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) on October 9, 2024, put together the West Africa Network of Activists and Media Defense Lawyers (WANAMDEL) to provide pro bono and highly rebated legal defence and services to journalists and activists in the sub-region. The organisation has also been organising a number of webinars to highlight the issues and proffer solutions.
To complement the above interventions, the MFWA, is organising a series of in-person and virtual workshops in 12 West African countries targeted at environmental activists (including activists, community members and CSOs and groups promoting sustainable environmental practices) and journalists on How to Avoid Legal Suits. The workshops are aimed at enhancing the understanding of journalists and activists on the legal provisions that govern expression and media in their respective countries, and to how to avoid liabilities while demanding stewardship from duty-bearers.
Each session will offer insights into local legal challenges and practical strategies to navigate them. Participants will gain valuable knowledge on how to safeguard their advocacy and journalism from the legal traps that can undermine their work. The sessions will be facilitated by the experienced activists and media lawyers of the WANAMDEL.
The virtual workshops and target countries
- November 21, 2024 for Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, and Guinea
- November 29, 2024 for Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin
- December 3, 2024, for The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia
- December 12, 2024, for Ghana and Nigeria
In-Person Workshop
- November 27 – 28, 2024 in Accra, Ghana and will feature expert speakers and industry leaders.
Kindly register here to join the first virtual workshop targeted at journalists and activists in Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, and Guinea.
The MFWA will communicate the meeting details for the other workshops ahead of the scheduled dates.
