UNESCO Warns of Serious Global Decline in Freedom of Expression and Journalists’ Safety
December 17, 2025
The Future of Accountability Journalism — Moving Beyond Exposure
December 17, 2025
This research brief examines the pressing challenges African journalists face, as documented in a comprehensive piece by the Al Jazeera Media Institute. It situates individual experiences within broader patterns of repression, intimidation, legal harassment and self-censorship that are undermining press freedom across the continent.
Background and Analytical Framework
Journalism in Africa operates under diverse and often hostile political environments where both state and non-state actors exert pressure aimed at controlling public narratives. This dynamic has intensified in recent years, with threats ranging from physical violence and legal entanglement to economic coercion and digital harassment. The Al Jazeera Media Institute article illustrates how such pressures shape journalists’ work, safety, and psychological well-being, contributing to an environment where self-censorship and fear become pervasive.
Key Findings
Political and Physical Intimidation
Journalists reporting on governance, corruption, elections, or security issues face repeated threats. Cases cited include forced on-air apologies under duress in Malawi and arrests of investigative reporters under broad legal provisions such as cybercrime laws in Nigeria. These incidents show how political influence is wielded to intimidate journalists and reshape editorial decisions.
Legal Harassment as a Tool of Repression
Legal instruments are used strategically to punish or financially drain journalists through lawsuits, arrests, or regulatory scrutiny. These measures often lack transparency and disproportionately affect those reporting on power abuses, forcing many to divert resources to legal defense rather than newsgathering.
Psychological and Operational Costs
Journalists endure both physical danger and psychological strain. Many live in fear of retaliation, adopt anonymous bylines, or rely on secure communications to protect sources and themselves. Reports also detail cases of physical assault by law enforcement actors, further underscoring the perilous conditions under which African journalists operate.
Rising Self-Censorship and Abandonment of Profession
The internalization of fear leads to self-censorship, a phenomenon where journalists pre-emptively limit coverage to avoid reprisals. In some contexts, this translates into abandonment of investigative beats or exits from the profession altogether, weakening the overall media landscape.
Emerging Networks of Solidarity
Despite these pressures, collaborative networks are forming. Cross-border investigative coalitions such as the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) provide legal aid, safety training, and shared platforms to help journalists continue their work in hostile settings.
Broader Implications
The African case reflects wider global trends in the erosion of press freedom, where legal and political pressures converge to limit independent journalism. Such dynamics are particularly acute in regions with weak judicial protections and a history of political instability. The risks faced by African journalists mirror broader UNESCO findings that a high proportion of journalist killings and attacks remain unpunished — contributing to pervasive impunity.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The article’s evidence points to an urgent need for structural reforms, including:
- Strengthening legal protections for journalists and limiting misuse of broad legislation;
- Establishing independent mechanisms for investigating attacks and intimidation;
- Expanding regional and international support networks for journalists at risk;
- Integrating digital and physical safety training as standard practice.
Without such measures, the climate of fear and repression risks further diminishing press freedom, public accountability, and the ability of societies to access reliable information.
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