TAEF Urges Burkina Faso to Halt Crackdown on Journalists

In a press release dated September 1, 2024, TAEF expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of media freedom in Western Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso. The organization highlighted the alarming situation faced by journalists in the Sahel region, urging the military authorities to protect the rights of all journalists and advocates of press freedom and free speech.

TAEF, which represents editors and senior journalists across Africa, has been actively monitoring the situation in the region. Recent engagements with media stakeholders revealed a troubling environment in Burkina Faso, especially under the leadership of President Traore. According to TAEF’s findings, there is a systematic campaign aimed at silencing critical journalism and curbing freedom of expression. This crackdown includes the harassment, kidnapping, and intimidation of journalists and human rights defenders.

The organization noted that journalists in Burkina Faso have been divided into two distinct groups: “The Patriots,” who support the authorities and provide favorable coverage, and “enemies of the state,” who are critical of the government. This categorization has led to a hostile environment for those who strive to report the truth and hold power to account.

TAEF President Churchill Otieno condemned the situation, stating, “The atmosphere of fear that many journalists doing critical reporting have found themselves in is unacceptable. It goes against the spirit of the universal charter on press freedom and freedom of expression, which are fundamental human rights that all citizens should enjoy and which ought to be protected by the state.