Exiled journalists face continuous pressure

In honour of World Press Freedom Day 2023, the International Press Association of East Africa (IPAEA) hosted the event «Journalists in exile - how journalism is being threatened in East Africa» which discussed how the space of independent journalism in the region is under pressure. 

We had a panel discussion with Abdalle Ahmed Mumin (in exile), the Secretary General of The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Hafiz Haroun (in exile) a Sudanese journalist working for International media who so graciously shared about their experiences living in exile. Muthoki Mumo, the Sub-Saharan Africa Representative for The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in Nairobi, highlighted  the importance of advocating for media freedom in the region. Even after being forced into exile, she says, most journalists still face political and financial pressure.

While this year’s World Press Freedom theme states that «freedom of expression is a driver for all other human rights», the reality on the ground is that freedom of expression continues to come at a high and painful cost to journalists. Many journalists in the region work under extenuating circumstances and face many risks leaving many with no option but to live in exile. Journalists are arbitrarily detained and arrested, physically abused and in some cases killed.

The International Press Association IPAEA calls on governments in East Africa to protect journalists and guarantee press freedom as a fundamental right in their countries. The IPAEA will continue to advocate for  freedom of the press in the region and rally against the targeted harassment of journalists.