The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) has called on leaders in the West African sub-region to demonstrate stronger commitment to the protection of the rights of journalists and civic actors.
The network is deeply concerned and alarmed about the threats to freedom and civil liberties especially in countries where democracy is facing extreme forms of vulnerabilities.
The network further expressed grave concern about the spate of democratic decline in in the sub – region characterized by the reemergence of military juntas and authoritarian regimes which have further exacerbated human rights abuses and restrictions on press freedom and the civic space.
Despite its importance in strengthening democracy and democratic norms and values, press freedoms in several countries in the sub-region and the continent have come under a barrage of attacks.
According to the network, the civic space in the sub – region has shrunk due to challenges, including government bans on the use of social media, blocking of news sites, arrests of journalists, arbitrary closure of media houses, and state interference in media operations.
According to Afrobarometer survey, about two-thirds (65%) of citizens on the continent say that the media should have the right to publish any views and ideas without government control. WADEMOS therefore call for adherence to national constitutions and regional frameworks that guarantee press freedoms and civic rights.
On the occasion of the International Press Freedom Day, the network strongly condemn the continuous violations of press freedoms and civic liberties across the sub-region and the stifling of the civic space as a means to control the information flow.
Leadership of the network therefore urged all leaders and regional and national institutions within the sub-region to foster a culture of open access to information, transparency, respect for human rights and press freedoms, in addition to free speech, and civil dialogue.
