Chad News

Explore the latest Chad news and current events, the current state of press freedom in Chad, including government influence, legal threats, and the role of independent media. The main Chad news headlines are below however you can also read news from each African country by using the drop-down menu.

 

Chad News

Chad News

Chad News

Chad News

 


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Chad News

While the constitutional framework in Chad theoretically guarantees freedom of the press, in reality it's marked by severe state control and pervasive self-censorship. While the country has seen a proliferation of private radio stations and newspapers since the 1990s, the dominant voice remains the state broadcaster, the National Office of Radio and Television of Chad (ONAMA), which operates as a direct mouthpiece for the government. Independent outlets, such as the private radio station FM Liberté, struggle daily to maintain editorial independence against intense political pressure, often finding themselves at risk of closure for critical reporting.

Journalists in Chad operate under the constant threat of arbitrary detention and legal harassment, particularly when tackling sensitive subjects like corruption, security operations, or political transitions. The government frequently employs vague national security laws or libel charges to silence dissenting voices, resulting in frequent arrests. These actions serve to establish a climate of fear, guaranteeing that many reporters actively practice self-censorship to stay operational. The few journalists brave enough to push the boundaries of credible reporting often face overt verbal abuse or physical intimidation from security forces, turning the act of news gathering into a dangerous endeavour.

In the digital sphere, the tools of suppression have become increasingly sophisticated. Authorities frequently resort to targeted internet blackouts and restrictions on social media access, especially during periods of political tension, such as constitutional referendums or significant political arrests. These digital shutdowns effectively cripple the ability of independent media outlets to disseminate information quickly and limit the organisation of protests, underscoring how governments use control over connectivity as critical leverage against the press.

While the government may not always use overt digital surveillance, regulatory control over telecommunications providers ensures swift compliance with demands to suppress critical online content, turning regulations concerning social media use into mechanisms for controlling political discourse and suppressing legitimate scrutiny.

 
 


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