How can journalists investigating environmental issues be better protected in a region often marked by insecurity and pressure? That central question drew about twenty media professionals from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad to N’Djamena on Monday, June 8, 2026.

Hosted at the Centre d’Études et de Formation pour le Développement (CEFOD), this regional workshop was organized by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The initiative aims to strengthen environmental journalists’ understanding of their legal rights while equipping them with tools to better handle the risks inherent in their work.

The opening ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Gassim Chérif Mahamat. Addressing the participants, he underscored the vital role of media in raising public awareness on environmental issues and advocated for a conducive environment for journalism.

During the sessions, attendees will explore topics including legal protection for journalists, physical and digital security, and the specific challenges of covering environmental matters. The discussions also allow for experience-sharing among professionals from different Sahel countries.

Ndeye Diary Ba, RSF’s project manager for sub-Saharan Africa, noted that this meeting responds to a growing need to protect journalists specializing in environmental reporting. In a region confronting climate change impacts, dwindling natural resources, and ongoing insecurity, these journalists are increasingly called upon to inform communities about sensitive issues.

Scheduled over several days, the workshop is expected to produce recommendations aimed at enhancing the safety of environmental journalists and promoting a more protective legal framework across Sahel states.