Press Freedom in Africa Faces Rapid Decline, Warns AMDF

The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has issued a warning regarding the rapid decline of press freedom across Africa, emphasizing the increasing violence and repression faced by journalists. Zhiroh Jatau, the foundation's press freedom manager, released a statement in Kaduna on Sunday, commemorating the 2026 World Press Freedom Day.

The AMDF's review, which includes data from multiple monitoring platforms, reveals a troubling and consistent decline in media freedom across the continent. Notably, Sudan recorded the highest number of journalist killings in Africa in 2025.

The report highlights the severe dangers journalists encounter, particularly in conflict zones, and identifies Eritrea as Africa's leading jailer of journalists. The AMDF also points to intensified crackdowns on independent media in the Sahel region, including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, as well as increasing criminalization of journalism in the Great Lakes region.

The foundation calls for African governments to uphold constitutional and international obligations to protect freedom of expression and ensure media independence.