In Burkina Faso, a recent multi-day military training program for 44 journalists, centered on “patriotism,” has drawn sharp criticism. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has unequivocally condemned the initiative, labeling it a new and deeply troubling sign for press freedom within the West African nation, a key player in Sahel politics.
The sight was certainly uncommon: Burkinabè journalists, dressed in military fatigues, holding rifles, standing at attention. For almost a week, 44 media professionals, representing both public and private outlets, underwent a specialized training program at the Police Academy of Pabré, situated approximately twenty kilometers from the capital, Ouagadougou. This intensive course, initiated by the Ministry of Security, ran from Sunday through Friday. Public broadcaster RTB aired footage depicting participants engaged in rigorous physical drills, singing patriotic songs, and handling firearms. Communication Minister Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo notably challenged them, asking if they would commit to being “patriotic and professional journalists.” Their collective response was a resounding “Affirmative.”
“A journalist who is not patriotic is a threat”
The Burkinabè government openly champions this endeavor. Lassina Traoré, the Director General of the Police Academy, explained that the program’s core aim was to immerse journalists in “the operational realities and values” upheld by the nation’s defense and security forces. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana expressed ambitions to expand this initiative further, declaring that the training should evolve into an “annual tradition” for media professionals. He also indicated the potential for this framework to encompass “other socio-professional groups.” From the government’s perspective, this unique immersion is critical for fostering patriotism within a nation grappling with a severe jihadist insurgency for several years.
RSF condemns threat to press freedom
This particular initiative has ignited significant alarm among advocates for press freedom. Sadibou Marong, the Director of Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) Sub-Saharan Africa bureau, voiced strong concerns, stating, “This initiative sends another deeply troubling signal regarding press freedom.” The organization firmly reiterates that journalists are distinct from military personnel and should not be compelled to act as “relays for the war effort.” RSF specifically urges Burkinabè authorities to uphold and safeguard the independence of the nation’s media.
Increasing pressure on media
This training unfolds against an exceptionally challenging backdrop for journalists across Burkina Faso. Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s military junta seized power in 2022, numerous media outlets have faced suspension, and critical voices have been systematically silenced. Furthermore, non-governmental organizations have documented instances where journalists and other figures critical of the regime were forcibly conscripted into the fight against jihadist groups. The Burkinabè government, for its part, champions a sovereignist policy, asserting its commitment to a “popular progressive revolution.”
War as justification
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been grappling with an escalating insurgency spearheaded by armed factions linked to groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. This pervasive violence has claimed thousands of lives and triggered the displacement of millions. It is within this dire context that the military government justifies its intensified national mobilization efforts. However, the declaration of an annual military training program for journalists raises a more profound question: how far can a nation’s patriotic mobilization extend during wartime without fundamentally compromising the independence of those whose precise role is to inform the public? For RSF, the answer remains unequivocal: a journalist must unequivocally remain a journalist, even amidst conflict.
