The African Editors’ Forum (TAEF) has called for the reinforcement of press freedom across Africa amidst increasing governmental restrictions and threats to journalistic integrity.
The call was made on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day which was celebrated on 3rd May,
Churchill Otieno, the President of TAEF stated, “On this day, dedicated to celebrating the essence of press freedom, we must confront the stark realities that threaten this fundamental pillar of democracy.”
“Our commitment to a free, diverse media landscape remains firm, despite these growing challenges.”
According to TAEF, there has been a troubling trend of diminishing media freedoms, with many journalists facing harassment or being forced into exile.
The statement specifically stressed recent severe measures in Burkina Faso and Burundi as examples of how fragile press freedom can be under authoritarian pressures.
In Burkina Faso, the crackdown on independent journalism has forced many journalists to abandon their watchdog role, which TAEF describes as a “disservice to the nation.”
The situation in Burundi is similarly dire, with the arrest of journalist Sandra Muhoza for merely expressing herself in a private digital forum.
TAEF has called for her immediate release and urged the Burundian government to start a constructive dialogue with the media instead of stifling it.
“The arrest of Sandra Muhoza is a chilling reminder of the increasingly intolerant environment for independent media in Africa. We demand her immediate release and call for an end to such oppressive practices,” Otieno stated.
The statement also touched on the broader challenges faced by the media industry, including the digital divide, financial constraints exacerbated by political interference, and the pervasive spread of misinformation.
TAEF emphasized the need for fair compensation models from big tech companies to ensure the viability of news organizations.
Moreover, TAEF underscored the underrepresentation of women in media roles and the critical safety risks that journalists in Africa continue to encounter.
As the African Editors’ Forum commemorates World Press Freedom Day, it called for a collective recommitment to nurturing a media environment that is not only free and independent but also inclusive and robust enough to support democracy across the continent.
“We stand at a critical juncture where our actions today will determine the strength of our democracies tomorrow. Let’s ensure that the voice of the African media is not just heard but respected and preserved,” Otieno added.