In a move that has sparked significant debate, over forty Burkinabè journalists recently completed a six-day military training program described as a « patriotic immersion » course. Organized by the Ministry of Security at the Police Academy in Pabré, located just outside Ouagadougou, this training was made compulsory for both public and private media professionals by the military-led authorities.
The initiative aligns with the government’s declared war effort against jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaïda and the Islamic State, which have been active in Burkina Faso for more than a decade. A video shared on social media by the national broadcaster RTB showed the 44 participating journalists—men and women—dressed in military fatigues and holding rifles.
Addressing the group, the Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, posed a pointed question: « Will you be patriotic and professional journalists? ». Standing at attention, the journalists responded in unison: « Affirmative ». The minister went on to emphasize that « a professional journalist who lacks patriotism poses a threat to the nation, » adding that « a professional and patriotic journalist who remains disengaged is merely a passive observer in a moment when the most defining chapters of the country’s history are being written. »
According to government officials, including the Director-General of the Police Academy, Lassina Traoré, the training aims to « instill in journalists an understanding of the operational realities and values that guide the daily actions of defense and security forces. »
This government-led initiative has drawn sharp criticism from press freedom advocates. Sadibou Marong, Director of Reporters Without Borders’ sub-Saharan Africa bureau, called the program « a new and deeply concerning signal for press freedom. » He further argued that « journalists are not soldiers and should not be turned into mouthpieces for a war effort, dressed in military uniforms and armed. »
The mandatory military immersion for journalists is part of a broader political agenda under Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s leadership. Since seizing power in a 2022 coup, Traoré has pursued policies aimed at reclaiming national sovereignty, often framed in anti-Western rhetoric. Notably, a similar military training requirement was imposed last year on high school students sitting for their final exams.
This enforced integration of the press into military structures comes amid escalating pressure on both local and international media outlets in Burkina Faso. Several news organizations have faced abrupt suspensions, while human rights groups report that numerous journalists critical of the transitional authorities have been forcibly conscripted and sent to the front lines. The case of journalist Serge Oulon, who has been detained for two years following his abduction in Ouagadougou, underscores the tense climate surrounding media freedom in the country.
