Chad advances media reforms and establishes national journalism commission

Chad is advancing institutional and legislative efforts to regulate and protect its media sector. The Haute Autorité des Médias et de l’Audiovisuel (HAMA) has officially announced the composition of a nine-member National Commission for professional journalists. Appointed by HAMA President Halima Assédou Ali, the commission includes representatives from various sectors, including the Ministry of Communication, the Union of Chadian Journalists (UJT), and various private press, radio, and television associations.

Simultaneously, the UJT met with the National Assembly’s Commission on Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy to advocate for press reforms. UJT President Abbas Mahamoud Tahir called for the resumption of legislative processes regarding journalist security and the protection of media personnel. Discussions also addressed challenges such as access to public information, the economic fragility of media companies, and the irregular distribution of state subsidies, which journalists claim often favor international outlets over national ones.