RNW Media
Press freedom in Mali has deteriorated sharply in recent years, reflecting persistent political instability, military dominance, and growing insecurity in the Sahel region. Once regarded as relatively open in West Africa, the country is now ranked among states where the press is “not free”, underscoring the severe restrictions imposed on journalists and independent media.
One of the most alarming aspects is the direct repression of journalists by transitional authorities. According to Human Rights Watch, the arrest of journalists for critical content has become more frequent.
Youssouf Sissoko, director of the newspaper L’Alternance, was arrested on 5 February. He was placed in detention on charges of “spreading false information”, “undermining the reputation of the State”, and “insulting a foreign head of state”. The journalist had republished an editorial accusing Niger’s president, Abdourahamane Tiani, of lying. Tiani had claimed that presidents Emmanuel Macron, Patrice Talon, and Alassane Ouattara were supporting terrorist groups that had attacked the Niamey airport. Tried on 24 March 2026, Youssouf Sissoko was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison; a sentence rarely handed down to a journalist in Mali.
At the same time, Malian authorities have also taken action against the media themselves. International and independent news outlets have been suspended or banned, fuelling concerns about censorship.
The transitional government permanently suspended RFI and France 24 in April 2022, then suspended TF1 and LCI in November 2025. An analysis by Article 19 highlights that the suspension of certain media outlets has sparked serious concerns about freedom of expression in the country.
This deterioration is closely linked to the political situation. Since the successive coups of 18 August 2020 against Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, and then 24 May 2021, led by Colonel Assimi Goïta against transitional president Bah N’Daw, the military junta has consolidated its power while restricting civil liberties. The Freedom House report highlights a broad rollback of political rights and civil liberties, including press freedom.
Other organisations confirm this troubling trend. Reporters Without Borders notes that journalists in Mali face growing pressure, threats, and acts of intimidation, which encourages self-censorship and limits the diversity of information.
National institutions have also expressed their concerns. Mali’s human rights commission has condemned the restrictions imposed on freedom of expression, stressing their incompatibility with the country’s international commitments.
Finally, the security situation and press freedom in Mali have worsened with the intensification of attacks by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin, linked to Al-Qaeda, against Malian armed forces, and with the imposition of a fuel blockade through the destruction of numerous tanker trucks. This security situation further heightens the risks for journalists. Caught between threats from armed groups and those from state forces, working as a journalist in Mali has become particularly dangerous. An Associated Press report sheds light on this climate of fear and the difficulties faced by the media in the country.
In sum, press freedom in Mali faces major challenges: political repression, legal restrictions, and widespread insecurity. Without deep reforms and concrete guarantees to protect journalists, this situation risks continuing to deteriorate, further undermining transparency and democratic accountability in the country.