Sahel region journalists are facing increasing security threats due to extremist attacks and military coups, according to Reporters Without Borders.
Since last November, at least two community radio journalists have been killed and two kidnapped in Mali and Chad.
Anne Bocande, the organization’s editorial director, highlighted the deteriorating security context in which journalists operate in the Sahel.
Despite the challenges, they remain present in these territories, providing essential information to the public.
Three Sahel nations, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, have experienced military coups in recent years.
While the juntas promised increased security, the situation has worsened.
A record number of attacks and civilian casualties have been reported, with 3,064 civilians killed in the first six months of this year alone.
The ruling juntas have also cracked down on political dissent and the media.
Mali banned media coverage of political parties and associations, while Burkina Faso suspended BBC and Voice of America radio stations.
In June, three journalists in Burkina Faso disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
Sadibou Marong, head of Reporters Without Borders’ sub-Saharan Africa office, emphasized the challenges of finding reliable information and covering the security situation in these countries.
The juntas often censor the media when their activities or abuses are exposed.