Over forty journalists from Burkina Faso have recently completed a six-day military training program described as a ‘patriotic immersion’ exercise. Organized by the Ministry of Security at the Pabré Police Academy, just outside the capital Ouagadougou, the initiative marks a first in the country’s media landscape. It was made compulsory for both public and private media professionals by the military-led authorities, aligning with the government’s declared war effort against jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaïda and the Islamic State, which have been active in Burkina Faso for over a decade.
A video shared on social platforms by the national broadcaster RTB captured the 44 participating journalists—men and women—wearing military fatigues and holding rifles during the session.
Government’s call for ‘patriotic journalism’
The Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, addressed the group, posing a direct question: ‘Will you be patriotic and professional journalists?’ Standing at attention, the journalists responded in unison: ‘Affirmative.’ The minister then emphasized, ‘A professional journalist who lacks patriotism poses a threat to the nation,’ before adding, ‘A professional and patriotic journalist who remains unengaged is merely a passive observer at a time when the most defining chapters of our country’s history are being written.’
According to official statements, particularly from Lassina Traoré, Director General of the Police Academy, the training aims to ‘instill in journalists an understanding of the operational realities and core values that guide the nation’s defense and security forces on a daily basis.’
Press freedom advocates raise alarm
The government’s move has drawn swift criticism from press freedom advocates. Sadibou Marong, Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Reporters Without Borders (RSF), warned that the initiative sends a ‘new and deeply troubling signal regarding press freedom.’ He further stated, ‘Journalists are not soldiers, nor should they be turned into mouthpieces for a war effort, dressed in military uniforms and carrying weapons.’
The mandatory military immersion of journalists is part of a broader political agenda promoted by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup. The stated goal of this agenda is to reclaim national sovereignty, with an emphasis on anti-Western rhetoric. Notably, a similar military training requirement was imposed last year on high school students preparing for their final exams.
Escalating restrictions on media and dissent
This enforced military engagement of the press unfolds against a backdrop of intensifying pressure on national and international media outlets. Several media organizations have faced abrupt suspension by transitional authorities. Human rights groups have also documented cases where journalists critical of the junta have been forcibly conscripted and sent to the front lines. The case of journalist Serge Oulon, who has been held in detention since his abduction in Ouagadougou two years ago, underscores the growing tensions surrounding press freedom in the country.
