Mauritania, Liberia and Gambia back RSF-initiated Dakar Declaration on Right to Information in Sahel

Amidst escalating violence and threats to press freedom in the Sahel, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has urged regional governments to adopt a ten-point declaration safeguarding the right to information. This initiative aims to reverse the trend of journalists being killed, kidnapped, or excluded from inaccessible zones, ensuring that reliable information remains accessible to citizens. The declaration serves as a critical framework for governments to legally guarantee journalists' safety, access to dangerous areas, and uninterrupted dissemination of public interest news. Three nations—Mauritania, The Gambia, and Liberia—have already committed to this cause, signaling a growing political will to protect media ecosystems. By endorsing the declaration, these countries acknowledge the vital role of local and community media in fighting disinformation and maintaining social cohesion. Their support highlights a collective recognition that a free press is essential for democratic stability and that impunity for attacks on journalists must be ended through robust legal accountability and international cooperation. This movement is highly relevant to open data because it establishes the legal and political foundation necessary for transparent governance. When governments commit to providing access to state-held information and guaranteeing internet connectivity, they enable the open flow of data essential for independent journalism. Protecting the right to information ensures that the data released by the state is accessible, usable, and trusted, thereby empowering civil society to hold power accountable in one of the world’s most volatile regions.

Source: rsf.org
Published on 2025-11-05

Mauritania, Liberia and Gambia back RSF-initiated Dakar Declaration on Right to Information in Sahel

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