As attacks on journalists and restrictions on press freedom continue to rise across West Africa, media and human rights advocates at the 2025 edition of the West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA 2025) organised by Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in Accra, Ghana, have called for urgent action to safeguard journalists and ensure accountability for crimes committed against them.
During a panel session themed “Safety of Journalists and Political Accountability,” and moderated by Dora Boamah Mawutor, Programme Director, Freedom of Expression and Digital Rights, MFWA, speakers examined the worsening conditions for journalists in the region and shared strategies to strengthen protection and uphold press freedom in an increasingly hostile environment.
Panellists included Isabel Alduenda, Senior Project Officer – Journalist Safety and Emergency Assistance (Americas & Sub-Saharan Africa), Free Press Unlimited (The Netherlands); Ayomide Eweje, Programme Officer, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) Nigeria; Tidiani Togola, Founder and CEO, Tuwindi (Mali); and Diamantino Domingos Lopes, SINJOTECS (Guinea-Bissau).
Speaking on behalf of Media Rights Agenda, Ms Eweje highlighted the persistent culture of attacks on journalists in Nigeria and the growing uncertainty surrounding their safety. She explained that these attacks are heightened by weak institutional protection and weak enforcement mechanisms, even in situations where journalists get justice for crimes committed against their person and against their rights. She also added that through its monitoring, advocacy, and strategic litigation, MRA continues to document and challenge these violations.
Ms Alduenda emphasised that financial and emergency support is available for journalists to build safety skills, strengthen digital and physical protection, and replace confiscated or destroyed work equipment. She mentioned that journalists can apply for the support directly or through their media organisations and supporting organisations.
On his part, Mr Togola from Mali described the extreme fragility of journalist safety in the Sahel, where insecurity and restricted access to information have become daily realities. He stressed the need for journalists to work collaboratively through unions and associations, saying, “Collaboration is key, especially given the current situation in the Sahel. It has become extremely difficult to hold governments in the region accountable.”
Mr Lopes from Guinea-Bissau added that practising journalism in West Africa has become increasingly difficult as physical threats, censorship, and financial hardship grow, allowing political actors to manipulate public opinion unchecked.
The panellists collectively agreed that impunity remains one of the most significant barriers to accountability, emboldening perpetrators and eroding public trust in democratic governance. They urged governments to fulfil their obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and establish independent mechanisms for journalist protection and swift response to violations.
In her closing remarks, Ms Eweje reiterated that to hold government accountable, there must be collaboration and solidarity between media stakeholders. She also affirmed that journalists’ rights must be seen as a democratic and human rights issue instead of a press issue.
The panel concluded with key recommendations, including greater collaboration and unity among media stakeholders; stronger engagement of journalist unions in reporting violations by state actors; and sustained advocacy by journalists and civil society for safety and accountability mechanisms.
WAMECA 2025 brought together journalists, editors, and media development professionals from across the continent. The annual conference continues to serve as one of Africa’s most influential platforms for advancing dialogue, collaboration, and resilience in defence of press freedom.
