Reporters Without Borders has joined forces with over 500 community radio stations in the Sahel region to advocate for the protection and support of local radio broadcasters, who are increasingly facing threats.
The organisation is urging governments in this region to safeguard radio stations’ freedom of information and raise awareness of the plight of journalists who have been targeted in recent months.
Sadibou Marong, RSF’s sub-Saharan Africa bureau director, expressed concerns about the potential disappearance of community radio stations in the Sahel if concerted efforts are not made to address their challenges. Countries such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad are particularly vulnerable.
Marong emphasised the vital role played by these stations in informing and educating local populations, especially through the use of regional languages. Many of the region’s community radio stations, established in the 1990s, cover crucial topics such as agriculture, health, and the environment.
However, RSF has highlighted that in areas where terrorist and armed groups operate, these stations and their journalists are increasingly coming under threat. Incidents such as the killing of journalists, kidnappings, and pressure to broadcast propaganda have been reported. Anne Bocambe, RSF’s editorial head in Paris, noted that the community radio stations in the Sahel are particularly crucial as many international media outlets have withdrawn from the region. Disinformation, including from foreign entities, is spreading, raising concerns about the lack of reliable information in the Sahel.
