The scene was certainly unusual: Burkinabè journalists, clad in military fatigues, rifles in hand, standing at attention. For nearly a week, 44 media professionals from both public and private sectors participated in a specialized training session held at the Pabré Police Academy, situated approximately twenty kilometers outside Ouagadougou. This program, initiated by the Ministry of Security, ran from Sunday through Friday. Public broadcaster RTB aired footage showing the journalists engaging in physical drills, singing patriotic songs, and handling weapons. During the training, Minister of Communication, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, directly asked participants if they would commit to being “patriotic and professional journalists.” Their unanimous response was a resounding “Affirmative.”

A journalist’s patriotism: a national security imperative

The Burkinabè government has openly embraced and defended this initiative. According to Lassina Traoré, Director General of the Police Academy, the primary goal was to immerse journalists in the “operational realities and values” of the nation’s defense and security forces. Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, has even expressed a desire to expand this program, announcing plans for it to become an annual “tradition” for media professionals. He further suggested that the framework could be extended to encompass “other socio-professional groups.” For the ruling authorities, this immersive experience is intended to cultivate and strengthen patriotism across the country, which has been grappling with a severe jihadist insurgency for several years.

Press freedom concerns mount amid military training

This government-led initiative has, however, sparked significant alarm among advocates for press freedom. Sadibou Marong, the Sub-Saharan Africa Director for Reporters Without Borders (RSF), conveyed his organization’s deep concern, stating that “this initiative sends a new and very worrying signal for press freedom.” RSF firmly reiterates that journalists are distinct from military personnel and must not be transformed into “relays for the war effort.” The organization has specifically urged Burkinabè authorities to uphold and protect the independence of the media.

Escalating pressure on burkinabè media landscape

This military training for journalists unfolds within an already tense environment for media professionals in Burkina Faso. Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s junta seized power in 2022, several media outlets have faced suspension, and critical voices have been silenced. Non-governmental organizations have also reported instances of journalists and other individuals critical of the regime being forcibly conscripted to join the fight against jihadist groups. In response, the Burkinabè government asserts its commitment to a sovereignist policy and claims to be leading a “popular progressive revolution.”

The war context: balancing national security and media independence

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been battling an insurgency spearheaded by armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The escalating violence has resulted in thousands of fatalities and displaced millions of people. It is against this backdrop that the junta justifies its intensified national mobilization efforts. However, the announcement of an annual military training program for journalists raises a more profound question: how far can a nation’s patriotic mobilization extend during wartime without compromising the independence of those whose fundamental role is to inform the public? For RSF, the answer remains unequivocal: a journalist must unequivocally remain a journalist, even in times of conflict.