The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) has called on regional leaders to demonstrate stronger commitment to press freedom and free speech.
In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on the occassion of the World Press Freedom Day, it called on leaders in the West African sub-region to demonstrate stronger commitment to the protection of the rights of journalists and civic actors.
The event was on the theme: “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis”.
As a network of civil society organisations in all 15 countries in West Africa, WADEMOS was deeply concerned and alarmed about the threats to freedom and civil liberties, especially in countries where democracy was facing extreme forms of vulnerabilities, the statement said.
“We further express grave concern about the spate of democratic decline in West Africa, characterised by the reemergence of military juntas and authoritarian regimes, which have further exacerbated human rights abuses and restrictions on press freedom and the civic space,” it said.
“Despite its importance in strengthening democracy and democratic norms and values, press freedoms in several countries in the sub-region and the continent have come under a barrage of attacks, while the civic space has shrunk due to challenges.”
“This includes government ban on the use of social media, blocking of news sites, arrests of journalists, arbitrary closure of media houses, and state interference in media operations.”
The statement said Reporters Without Borders (RSF) had highlighted concerns about Burkina Faso’s alarming decline in press freedom, as the Government had banned about 13 international media outlets while restricting broadcasts by local media.
In February, this year, the Nigerien Government suspended the activities of “Maison de la Presse,” a media organisation dedicated to promoting dialogue and access to information.
Similarly, in Togo, years of governmental crackdown on the press and freedom of speech had contributed to shrinking of the civic space, including stifling dissenting views and civil society voices against the actions of the Government.
In Mali, the military junta banned the media from reporting on political activities, but citizens and political actors continue to call for the return to the transition timetable.
“In countries, such as Senegal and Guinea, there have been internet and social media shutdowns and blocks in the recent past,” it said.
“These conditions are compounding the sub-region’s woes with the rise of disinformation, misinformation, and fake news, which has become a major threat to the already fragile democracy, the security, and stability of the region.”
“On the occasion of the International Press Freedom Day, WADEMOS strongly condemn the continuous violations of press freedoms and civic liberties across the sub-region and the stifling of the civic space as a means to controlling the information flow and restrict the citizens’ access to factual, fair, balanced, and objective information through news censorship.”
As captured in the Afrobarometer survey, about two-thirds (65 per cent) of citizens on the continent say the media should have the right to publish any views and ideas without government control, the statement said.
As a regional pro-democracy network and mindful of the various international and continental frameworks and instruments on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, WADEMOS urged all leaders, and regional and national institutions to foster a culture of open access to information, transparency, respect for human rights and press freedoms, in addition to free speech, and civil dialogue.
“Specifically, we call for adherence to national constitutions and regional frameworks that guarantee press freedoms and civic rights.”
It said WADEMOS remained uncompromising in its commitment to advancing and promoting press freedom and media independence in West Africa and on the continent.
“We believe that a strong press and a vibrant civic space are crucial pillars of democracy, good governance, and a sphere for citizen involvement in democracy and development
