While freedom of the press and expression are nominally enshrined in Djiboutian law, these protections are frequently overlooked or outright ignored in practice. The environment is characterised by persistent efforts to silence independent voices, whether they are local journalists, bloggers, or human rights defenders. The government maintains tight control through administrative means and the zealous enforcement of defamation and national security laws, which are often employed to target critics. Specific cases of censorship and harassment are common, leading to significant self-censorship among the already small pool of independent reporters who still attempt to operate within the country.