Sahel journalists gather in N’Djamena to discuss legal protection
How can journalists investigating environmental issues in regions marked by insecurity and pressure be better protected? This was the core question addressed as around twenty media professionals from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad gathered in N’Djamena on Monday, June 8, 2026.
Hosted at the Centre d’Études et de Formation pour le Développement (CEFOD), this regional workshop was organized by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The initiative aims to strengthen environmental journalists’ knowledge of their rights while providing them with tools to better cope with the risks associated with their work.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Gassim Chérif Mahamat, Minister of Communication and government spokesperson. Addressing the participants, he emphasized the crucial role of media in raising public awareness of environmental issues and advocated for a favorable environment for journalism.
During the sessions, participants will explore various themes including journalists’ legal protection, physical and digital security, as well as the specific challenges encountered when covering environmental topics. The exchanges will also allow for experience-sharing among professionals from different Sahel countries.
According to Ndeye Diary Ba, RSF’s project manager for sub-Saharan Africa, this meeting responds to a growing need to protect journalists specialized in environmental issues. In a region facing climate change effects, dwindling natural resources, and insecurity, these professionals are increasingly called upon to inform the public about sensitive matters.
Scheduled to run over several days, the workshop is expected to yield recommendations aimed at strengthening the safety of environmental journalists and promoting a more protective legal framework across Sahel countries.
