A three-day regional workshop dedicated to the legal protection of journalists covering environmental issues opened this Monday, 8 June 2026, in N’Djamena. The event is organised by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in partnership with the ministries in charge of communication and the environment.
The gathering brings together around twenty media professionals from Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. It is part of the project “Defending and Protecting Environmental Journalism in the Sahel,” which aims to improve working conditions for journalists who report on environmental topics.
The main goal is to enhance participants’ understanding of their rights, existing protection mechanisms, and ways to prevent professional risks, while fostering stronger cooperation among journalists, legal experts, and human rights organisations.
Ndeye Diary Ba, RSF’s project manager for sub-Saharan Africa, explained that the initiative seeks to equip journalists with the skills needed to practice their profession under better conditions.
“Participants will have the opportunity to discuss sensitive topics, review various national and regional legal frameworks, and strengthen their knowledge of digital security and risk management,” she said.
Chad’s Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Gassim Cherif Mahamat, attended the workshop and praised the choice of Chad to host this regional meeting. He noted that Sahel countries face numerous challenges regarding journalist protection and press freedom.
“Media professionals play an essential role in raising public awareness about environmental issues, but they also need a framework that guarantees safety and protection. This training will help participants acquire practical tools for risk analysis, understanding legal texts, and combating disinformation—skills that have become indispensable in modern journalism,” he stated.
Over the three days, participants will share experiences and strengthen their capacity to better inform the public about environmental challenges while working in safer conditions.
