Global outcry: 30 organizations demand end to press freedom violations in Mali and Burkina Faso
Under the leadership of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), nearly 30 human rights and media organizations have issued an open letter to authorities in Mali and Burkina Faso, as well as regional and international bodies, calling for an immediate halt to press freedom violations in both nations.
RSF coordinated this initiative involving nearly 30 media outlets and human rights organizations to defend press freedom in Mali and Burkina Faso. In an open letter addressed to the governments of both countries, regional institutions, and the international community, they urge an end to harassment and intimidation of local and foreign journalists, and the fulfillment of international commitments regarding freedom of expression and press freedom—particularly the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
This solidarity initiative underscores the critical importance of respecting and promoting press freedom in Mali and Burkina Faso. As World Press Freedom Day approaches, authorities in both nations must act decisively to ensure journalists can work without fear of retaliation.
The coalition includes local media such as Joliba Tv News in Mali and Lefaso.net in Burkina Faso, alongside press freedom and journalists’ rights organizations like the African Journalists Federation (FAJ), the International Francophone Press Union (UPF), and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). International media organizations are also part of the signatory list.
Unsurprisingly, both countries have slipped in the latest World Press Freedom Index, published on May 3, 2023. Burkina Faso now ranks 58th, while Mali sits at 113th out of 180 countries.
Open letter: Protecting journalists and defending freedom of expression and press freedom in Mali and Burkina Faso
- Chairperson of the African Union Heads of State and Government Conference
- President of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Conference
- President of the WAEMU Heads of State and Government Conference
- President of the African Union Commission
- President of the ECOWAS Commission
- President of the WAEMU Commission
- President of the Pan-African Parliament
- UN Secretary-General
- President of the UN Human Rights Council
- UNESCO Director-General
- Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie
- Heads of media regulatory bodies in ECOWAS’ 15 member states
- President of the Francophone Network of Media Regulators
- President of the Audiovisual Regulators’ Platform of WAEMU member states and Guinea
- ECOWAS member states’ Communication Ministers
- President of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB)
The letter highlights escalating threats against journalists, including death threats, fabricated accusations, censorship of international media like RFI and France 24, expulsions of foreign correspondents, and arbitrary arrests of opinion leaders. In Burkina Faso, military authorities have banned several outlets, while in Mali, incidents include the sacking of the Bamako Press House, the arrest of columnist Mohamed Youssouf Bathily (Ras Bath) for criticizing the late Prime Minister’s death, and the abduction of journalist Aliou Touré by armed assailants.
Social media amplifies harassment, with pro-regime influencers issuing violent threats against independent journalists, drowning out public debate with fake news. Despite the severe security crises in both nations, journalists continue to fulfill their duty to inform citizens, resisting attempts to use counterterrorism as a pretext to restrict fundamental rights.
Burkina Faso‘s media regulator, the Conseil Supérieur de la Communication (CSC), has publicly condemned the recurrent threats, urging authorities to ensure journalists’ safety. Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing that protecting independent voices is vital during transitions. Alioune Tine, the UN Independent Expert on human rights in Mali, has also voiced alarm over the shrinking civic space and freedom of expression.
The signatories demand that authorities in both countries:
- Cease all measures undermining press freedom
- Ensure security forces and judiciary protect journalists from intimidation and death threats
- Guarantee the safety of media professionals facing harassment or physical attacks
- Conduct impartial, effective investigations into abuses against journalists and prosecute perpetrators
- Uphold international obligations, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- Mobilize national and international stakeholders to support this cause, as access to information is a fundamental right.
SIGNATORIES
1. AfrikaJom Center
2. Association of Journalists of Burkina Faso (AJB)
3. Association of Online Press Professionals (APPEL Senegal)
4. Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism (CENOZO)
5. National Center for Norbert Zongo Press (CNP-NZ Burkina Faso)
6. Courrier Confidentiel (Burkina Faso)
7. Federation of African Journalists (FAJ)
8. International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
9. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
10. France 24 (France)
11. Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
12. Human Rights Watch (HRW)
13. International Press Institute (IPI)
14. Jeune Afrique (France)
15. Joliba TV News (Mali)
16. Le Pays (Burkina Faso)
17. Le Monde (France)
18. Lefaso.net (Burkina Faso)
19. Le Reporter (Burkina Faso)
20. L’Événement (Burkina Faso)
21. Libération (France)
22. L’Observateur Paalga (Burkina Faso)
23. Radio France Internationale (France)
24. Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
25. Society of Editors of Private Press of Burkina Faso (SEP)
26. Omega Médias (Burkina Faso)
27. International Francophone Press Union (UPF)
28. Union of West African Journalists (UJAO)
29. 24heures.bf (Burkina Faso)
30. Wakat Sera (Burkina Faso)
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