press freedom under threat in Mali and Burkina Faso: a coalition demands urgent action
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 end to escalating threats against press freedom in both nations.
Led by RSF, nearly 30 human rights groups and media outlets have united to defend press freedom in Mali and Burkina Faso. In an open letter addressed to officials in both countries, regional institutions, and the international community, they urge an immediate halt to intimidation tactics targeting local and foreign journalists and demand adherence to international commitments on freedom of expression and press freedom—particularly the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“This solidarity initiative underscores the critical importance of safeguarding and promoting press freedom in Mali and Burkina Faso. As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, authorities in these countries must fully grasp its significance and take immediate action to ensure journalists can work without fear of retaliation.”
Signatories include local media outlets like Joliba TV News in Mali and Lefaso.net in Burkina Faso, alongside press freedom defenders such as the African Journalists Federation (FAJ), International Francophone Press Union (UPF), and the West Africa Media Foundation (MFWA). International media organizations are also part of this collective.
Unsurprisingly, both nations have slipped further in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, ranking 58th (Burkina Faso) and 113th (Mali) out of 180 countries.
