Regional workshop in N’Djamena boosts legal safety for environmental journalists
A three-day regional workshop dedicated to strengthening legal protection for journalists covering environmental issues kicked off on Monday, June 8, 2026, in N’Djamena. The event is organized by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in partnership with the ministries of Communication and Environment.
The gathering brings together around twenty media professionals from Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. It is part of the project “Defend and Protect 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 risks related to their profession, while fostering stronger cooperation among journalists, legal experts, and human rights organizations.
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 subjects, 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 recalled that Sahel countries face numerous challenges regarding journalist protection and press freedom. “Media professionals have an essential role in raising public awareness on environmental issues, but they must also benefit from a framework that guarantees their safety and protection. This training will allow participants to acquire practical tools for risk analysis, understanding legal texts, and combating disinformation — aspects that have become indispensable in modern journalism,” he noted.
Over the three days, participants will share experiences and build capacity to better inform the public about environmental challenges while working in safer conditions.
