Mandatory military immersion for journalists in Burkina Faso
Forty-four Burkinabè journalists recently completed a six-day military training session described as a « patriotic immersion » at the Police Academy in Pabré, just outside Ouagadougou. This unprecedented measure, imposed by the military-led government under Captain Ibrahim Traoré, applies to both public and private media outlets as part of the nation’s ongoing counterterrorism campaign against Al-Qaïda and Islamic State-affiliated jihadist groups that have plagued Burkina Faso for over a decade.
A video shared on social media by the national broadcaster RTB captured the journalists—men and women alike—wearing military fatigues and holding rifles alongside the other participants. The training’s objective, according to officials, is to instill in journalists a deeper understanding of the operational realities and guiding values of the country’s defense and security forces.
Government’s stance on « patriotic journalism »
The Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, addressed the journalists during the closing ceremony, asking them: « Will you be patriotic and professional journalists? » Standing at attention, the journalists responded in unison: « Affirmative. » The minister emphasized that « a professional journalist who is not patriotic poses a threat to their country, » adding that « a professional and patriotic but unengaged journalist is like a passive spectator in a time when the most defining chapters of their nation’s history are being written. »
Lassina Traoré, Director-General of the Police Academy, reiterated that the training aims to « immerse journalists in the daily realities and core values that shape the actions of defense and security personnel. »
Press freedom advocates raise alarm
The initiative has drawn sharp criticism from press freedom organizations. Sadibou Marong, Director of Reporters Without Borders’ Sub-Saharan Africa bureau, condemned the move, stating that it sends « a new and deeply troubling signal for press freedom. » He argued that « journalists are not soldiers and should not be turned into mouthpieces for military campaigns, dressed in uniforms and wielding weapons. »
This mandatory military immersion aligns with a broader political agenda under Captain Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup. The agenda emphasizes national sovereignty and anti-Western rhetoric, with similar military training already imposed last year on secondary school students preparing for their final exams.
Press under siege in Burkina Faso
The government’s push for « patriotic journalism » coincides with escalating pressure on both local and international media in Burkina Faso. Several outlets have faced outright suspensions, while human rights groups report that critical journalists have been forcibly conscripted and sent to the front lines. The case of Serge Oulon, a journalist abducted in Ouagadougou two years ago and still held in detention, underscores the tense climate enveloping the media landscape.