Digital surveillance and internet restrictions have also become tools for controlling the press. Authorities have imposed temporary internet blackouts during protests or security operations, citing national security concerns, but effectively silencing independent reporting. Social media regulations, often vaguely defined, have been used to target journalists who critique the government or military leadership. In one notable case, a journalist was arrested for allegedly spreading "false information" after reporting on civilian casualties in a military operation, underscoring how broadly framed laws can criminalise legitimate journalism. These tactics mirror regional trends in West Africa, where governments in countries like Niger and Mali have similarly tightened control over media under the guise of maintaining stability.