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.
