In many parts of the world, especially in West Africa, journalists, media outlets, activists,
human rights defenders, and dissidents often face violations. These attacks, which are
largely due to intolerance of opposing and critical views, aim to silence dissent and
discourage demand for accountability. As a result, the subregion is recording a decline in
freedom of expression (FOE) and a shrinking civic space. The whole situation is further
exacerbated by an ongoing impunity for most of the violations committed. This worsens
the situation, encouraging others to engage in similar abuses and stifling critical voices
that would highlight issues such as environmental degradation, corruption, and
governance challenges.
As a contribution towards addressing these issues and ensuring an open and safe civic
space in the subregion, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) with support
from the 11th Hour Project of The Schmidt Family Foundation, is monitoring and
reporting violations and other developments around FOE in West Africa. The findings
from the MFWA’s June 2024 monitoring across West Africa revealed a number of abuses
against journalists, media organisations and some environmental activists. In Burkina
Faso, for instance, a media outlet resorted to self-censorship after intimidation from pro-
government demonstrators, while the country’s media regulator, the Conseil Supérieur de
la Communication (CSC), descended heavily on at least three media outlets and
journalists over some purported infractions. The other violations recorded include
repressive media law reforms, abductions/disappearances, threats, arrests and physical
attacks.
Access the full report here.
