Chad: Authorities tighten media controls ahead of local elections
Controversial measures spark concern in online media
Ahead of legislative and local elections scheduled for December 29, 2024, Chadian authorities have announced increased media control, raising concerns among media outlets, particularly online ones. The Chadian Online Media Association (AMET) has expressed concern over what it sees as an attempt to restrict media freedoms.
Restrictions deemed excessive by Chadian media
AMET denounced the recent announcements by the president of the High Authority for Media and Audiovisual (HAMA), Abderamane Barka, stating that the new measures “seem to go beyond the legal framework.” According to these guidelines, any private newspaper, whether printed or online, will be suspended if it broadcasts audio or audiovisual content instead of limiting itself to written articles. In addition, media outlets that use their Facebook pages to share information other than that of their original production will also be sanctioned.
A tense political and security context
These new regulations come in a political and security climate marked by growing tensions in Chad, accompanied by a regression of press freedoms. The president of HAMA justifies these measures by the need for a “continuous cleaning up of the Chadian media landscape”, which he considers degraded by an “information disorder”. However, local media perceive these actions as an attempt to muzzle critical voices in the run-up to elections.
Conclusion: A media climate under pressure before the elections
The tightening of media controls in Chad, just months before the elections, is a source of serious concern among professionals in the sector. At a time when the country is going through a delicate political and security period, these restrictions are seen as an alarming signal for press freedom. The challenge for the authorities will be to ensure a transparent electoral environment, while respecting the rights of the media to freely inform the population.
