Burkina Faso imposes military training on journalists

The military-led government of Burkina Faso has implemented a mandatory annual ‘patriotic immersion’ program for journalists. More than 40 reporters from both public and private media organizations recently completed a six-day military-style training course at a police academy near Ouagadougou.

During the training, journalists were required to wear military fatigues and handle rifles. Communication Minister and government spokesman Pingdwende Gilbert Ouedraogo addressed the participants, stating that a professional journalist who is not a patriot constitutes a threat to the country. In footage released by the national broadcaster, journalists responded ‘Affirmative’ when asked if they would be patriotic and professional.

Press freedom advocates have expressed significant concern regarding the initiative. Sadibou Marong, the sub-Saharan Africa bureau director at Reporters Without Borders, described the program as a ‘very worrying signal,’ arguing that journalists should not be treated as soldiers or compelled to participate in activities designed to support the war effort against jihadist groups.