In N’Djamena, a crucial gathering took place this Monday, June 8, 2026, bringing together approximately twenty media professionals from across the Sahel region. Journalists representing Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad convened to address a pressing concern: enhancing the protection of those who investigate environmental issues amidst prevailing insecurity and external pressures.

Hosted by the Centre d’Études et de Formation pour le Développement (CEFOD), this regional workshop was orchestrated by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The initiative aimed to equip environmental journalists with a deeper understanding of their legal rights and to provide essential tools for navigating the inherent risks associated with their vital profession.

The opening ceremony saw the presence of Chadian Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Gassim Chérif Mahamat. Addressing the participants, he underscored the indispensable role of the media in raising public awareness about critical environmental challenges and advocated for a conducive environment that supports the free exercise of journalism.

Throughout the intensive sessions, attendees delved into various topics pertinent to journalist safety. Discussions encompassed the intricacies of legal protection, strategies for ensuring physical and digital security, and the unique obstacles encountered when reporting on environmental matters. The collaborative format also fostered valuable exchanges of experiences among professionals from diverse Sahelian nations, including insights from the vibrant Burkina Faso press.

Ndeye Diary Ba, RSF’s project manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted that this timely meeting responds to an escalating demand for safeguarding journalists specializing in environmental reporting. In a region grappling with the severe impacts of climate change, dwindling natural resources, and pervasive insecurity, these dedicated professionals are increasingly called upon to inform communities about highly sensitive issues, making their protection paramount for independent Burkina journalism and beyond.

Scheduled to span several days, the workshop is anticipated to culminate in a series of concrete recommendations. These proposals are designed to bolster the safety of environmental journalists and to promote the establishment of more robust legal frameworks across the Sahelian countries.