Economic challenges and regulatory reforms for Chadian media

Major Chadian media organizations, including the URPT, PPT, AMET, and AEPT, have raised concerns regarding the economic instability of the private press sector.

Initially, these groups issued a joint demand to the government in N’Djaména regarding significant delays in the Press Aid fund. They reported that subsidy payments are two years in arrears, arguing that these funds are a legal requirement under existing laws rather than discretionary favors. The organizations stated that this financial instability threatens the ability of private media to provide public information and support democratic participation.

Following these demands, the press groups expressed “profound disappointment” regarding the financial requirements for covering the France-Chad Business Forum in Paris, scheduled for September 25–26, 2026. They noted that the requirement for media outlets to fully fund their own transport, accommodation, and living expenses poses a significant burden on an already struggling sector. The organizations warned that these costs could lead to unequal media coverage by limiting participation to only the most well-funded outlets.

In response to broader sector challenges, the Haute Autorité des Médias et de l’Audiovisuel (HAMA) has announced the composition of a nine-member National Commission for professional journalists. Meanwhile, the Union of Chadian Journalists (UJT) has engaged with the National Assembly’s Commission on Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy to advocate for press reforms. These discussions include calls for improved journalist security, better access to public information, and addressing the irregular distribution of state subsidies, which journalists claim often favor international outlets over national ones.