RSF - Reporters sans frontières

23/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 23/10/2025 11:07

Propaganda, disinformation, threats to journalists – RSF invites Sahel media actors to regional conference on right to information

Examining the right to information in the Sahel and promoting reliable media reporting by combating disinformation will be the main points on the agenda of the regional conference on the right to information in the Sahel to which Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is inviting media actors from throughout the region. It will be held in Dakar, Senegal, and start on 27 October. At the same time, RSF reaffirms its call for governments to sign the Declaration on the Right to Information in the Sahel.

"The situation of the media and its actors has not improved in recent years in the Sahel. As propaganda, disinformation, attacks and arrests of journalists have become common in the region, it is important to take a closer look at this situation. This is why we are pleased to invite media actors from the region to the Senegalese capital to discuss all these issues. We are also inviting government representatives, who will be able to demonstrate their commitment by signing the declaration on the right to information.

Sadibou Marong
Director of RSF's Sub-Saharan Africa bureau

Entitled "CREDI-SAHEL", the RSF conference will be held from 27 to 30 October in Dakar as part of the Salon International des Médias d'Afrique (International African Media Fair - SIMA). Media stakeholders will be able to take part in round tables, panels and discussion sessions on the challenges of the news and information environment in the Sahel. This conference will also be an opportunity for government officials from participating countries in the region to affirm their commitment to combating the decline in the right to information in the Sahel, including by endorsing the Declaration on the Right to Informationin the Sahel initiated by RSF.

This event is part of the "Save Journalism in the Sahel" campaign that RSF launched in 2022. The campaign aims to mobilise and bring together media actors, civil society, technical and financial partners such as UNESCO and ECOWAS, and government representatives, and to boost activities designed to prevent the region from becoming a "no-information" zone.

These activities have included a preview screening of RSF's new documentary, "Community radios: the fight to keep the Sahel informed," in early September in Dakar. This film continues the call by RSF and 547 regional community radio stationsfor these local media outlets to be protected and assisted.

Growing threats in Sahel region

Two journalists have been killed in the region - in Maliand Chad- since 2023. In Burkina Faso at least seven journalistshave been forcibly conscriptedinto the army since 2024. Most were released after several months. Serge Oulon, the editor of the investigative newspaper L'Événement, is currently believed to be the only journalist still subjected to forced conscription.

Mounting threats have forced many media outlets to move to a different location within their country or to relocate abroad. As a result of the growing threats to reliable media reporting, the public is increasingly exposed to propagandaand disinformation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONFERENCE, PLEASE CONTACT

● Phone: +221 77 700 56 81 / +221 70 960 40 92

● Email: [email protected]

Published on23.10.2025
  • AFRICA
  • Burkina Faso
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • Chad
  • Senegal
  • Actions RSF
  • Arbitrary detention and proceedings
  • News
  • Activities
  • Campaign
  • Advocacy
  • Right to news and information
  • States and institutions
  • Disappearances
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