In Burkina Faso, a group of 44 journalists recently concluded several days of military training focused on “patriotism.” This development has prompted Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to voice serious concerns, viewing it as another alarming indicator for press freedom in the nation.
An extraordinary scene recently unfolded: Burkinabè journalists, clad in military fatigues, rifles in hand, standing at attention. For nearly a week, 44 media professionals from both public and private sectors participated in a specialized training program. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Security, took place at the Pabré Police Academy, located approximately twenty kilometers from Ouagadougou. The intensive session ran from Sunday through Friday. Public broadcaster RTB aired footage showing journalists engaging in physical exercises, patriotic singing, and weapons handling drills. Communication Minister Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo notably challenged them, asking if they would be “patriotic and professional journalists.” Their unified response was a resounding “Affirmative.”
“A journalist who is not patriotic is a threat”
The Burkinabè government has openly endorsed this initiative. According to Lassina Traoré, Director General of the Police Academy, the program’s primary objective was to immerse journalists in the “operational realities and values” of the nation’s defense and security forces. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana expressed intentions to expand further, announcing that this training should become an annual “tradition” for media professionals. The framework might also extend to “other socio-professional groups.” For the ruling authorities, this immersion is expected to foster stronger patriotism within a country that has been grappling with a severe jihadist insurgency for several years. This move highlights a key aspect of current African politics in the region.
RSF condemns threat to press freedom
This government-led initiative has sparked profound concern among advocates for press freedom. Sadibou Marong, Director of the Sub-Saharan Africa Bureau for Reporters Without Borders (RSF), conveyed to AFP that “This initiative sends another deeply concerning signal for press freedom.” The organization firmly reiterates that journalists are not members of the military and should not be co-opted as “relays for the war effort.” RSF specifically urges Burkinabè authorities to uphold the independence of the media, a critical element for fair West Africa news reporting.
Increasing pressure on media
This training unfolds against a particularly tense backdrop for journalists in Burkina Faso. Since the military junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, seized power in 2022, numerous media outlets have faced suspension, and critical voices have been silenced. Non-governmental organizations have also reported instances of journalists and other individuals critical of the regime being forcibly conscripted to participate in the fight against jihadist groups. The Burkinabè government, conversely, champions a sovereignist policy and asserts its commitment to a “progressive popular revolution.”
War as justification
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been embroiled in an insurgency spearheaded by armed groups affiliated with entities like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. This violence has tragically claimed thousands of lives and led to the displacement of millions. It is within this dire context that the junta justifies strengthening national mobilization. However, the announcement of annual military training for journalists raises a broader, fundamental question in African politics: how far can a nation’s patriotic mobilization extend during wartime without compromising the independence of those whose primary role is to inform the public? For RSF, the answer remains unequivocal: a journalist must remain a journalist, even amidst conflict.
