West African Media Stakeholders Demand Urgent Action as Press Freedom Comes Under Increasing Threat

By Iyojo Ameh

Journalists, media owners, civil society organisations, digital rights advocates, legal practitioners, academics and development partners from across West Africa have called for urgent regional action to reverse the growing restrictions on press freedom and freedom of expression, warning that attacks on independent journalism are undermining democratic governance across the region.

The call was made in Abuja on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Regional Conference on Press Freedom and Democratic Governance in West Africa, organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). The conference also provided a platform for the launch of a report examining the state of media and free expression rights in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Guinea.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Ms. Stella Nwofia said the conference represented a collective determination to defend media independence and protect journalists across West Africa. She said the media remains central to civic participation, exposing corruption, promoting informed public debate and supporting peaceful democratic transitions, despite mounting challenges including restrictive laws, arbitrary arrests, digital surveillance, economic pressure and threats to journalists’ safety.

Nwofia commended MFWA for convening the regional forum, saying it had brought together policymakers, journalists, media owners, civil society organisations, academics, regional institutions and development partners to develop practical responses to threats facing the media. She also highlighted the importance of the new report, describing it as an evidence-based assessment of legal restrictions, political influence over media regulators, accountability gaps and gender-related vulnerabilities affecting press freedom in the Sahel and Guinea.

Delivering the keynote address, Director of E-jicom and founder of Ouestaf News, Hamadou Tidiane Sy, said there was a dangerous gap between constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and the realities faced by journalists. Sy argued that press freedom should not be treated as a privilege for journalists alone, but as a fundamental pillar of democracy that enables citizens to access information, scrutinise government and participate meaningfully in public affairs.

The conference communiqué expressed concern over the use of cybercrime and national security laws, emergency regulations, surveillance technologies, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, media closures, internet shutdowns and digital censorship to suppress legitimate journalism and civic expression. Participants also condemned political interference, regulatory capture and economic pressure on independent media organisations.

The stakeholders called on West African governments to repeal or amend laws that criminalise legitimate journalism, end arbitrary arrests and harassment of journalists, investigate unresolved cases involving missing media professionals and guarantee judicial oversight of surveillance powers. They also demanded an end to politically motivated media closures, unlawful digital censorship and the withdrawal of broadcasting licences without due process.

Particular concern was raised over the situation of women journalists, who face gender-based online violence, sexual harassment, intimidation and exclusion from leadership positions. Participants called for stronger institutional protection, gender-responsive policies and greater representation of women in media decision-making.

The conference urged ECOWAS, the African Union and other regional institutions to make press freedom a measurable indicator of democratic governance and incorporate it into electoral observation missions and political transition processes. Regional bodies were also asked to strengthen accountability mechanisms for violations against journalists.

Nwofia, on behalf of IPC, reaffirmed the organisation’s solidarity with MFWA and other stakeholders in the campaign to protect journalists, combat impunity and strengthen democratic governance.

She said regional cooperation, shared experiences and collective action remained essential to building resilient media institutions capable of withstanding political polarisation, disinformation, economic pressure and threats to journalists’ safety.

The conference concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among media organisations, civil society groups, governments and development partners to protect independent journalism and ensure that the media continues to serve as a watchdog, platform for civic participation and instrument for accountability, peace and sustainable development in West Africa.