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

The article highlights a critical initiative to combat the deterioration of media freedom and security in the Sahel, where journalists face violence, kidnappings, and increasing inaccessibility to regions. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has launched a declaration urging regional governments to protect reliable information and uphold the right to information. By committing to ten specific principles, signatory nations like Mauritania, The Gambia, and Liberia aim to establish a secure environment where journalists can operate safely and disseminate credible news without fear of impunity or censorship. A significant focus is placed on the role of local and community media, particularly radio stations, which serve as vital lifelines for information in remote or conflict-affected areas. The campaign emphasizes the need to support these local outlets to prevent the Sahel from becoming a "no-information zone." This involves ensuring internet access during critical periods, legal protection against attacks on press freedom, and international cooperation to sustain independent journalism, thereby safeguarding the public’s ability to seek and receive trustworthy information. This initiative is highly relevant to open data because it underscores the fundamental link between press freedom and the availability of public information. Without secure, independent media, the mechanisms for transparency, accountability, and the dissemination of open government data are compromised. The call for legal frameworks that guarantee access to state-held information and protect journalists is essential for ensuring that open data initiatives can effectively serve the public interest in fragile regions, maintaining the flow of reliable, uncensored knowledge.

Source: rsf.org
Published on 2025-11-06

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

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