IPI: Africa Media Freedom Monitoring: April to June 2026

The International Press Institute (IPI) recorded nearly 100 cases of threats and attacks on journalists (82 male and 18 female) across 22 countries in sub-Saharan Africa between April and June 2026. Physical and verbal attacks, as well as arrests and detention, were the most frequent types of incidents. An Ethiopian journalist in exile was found dead in Kenya under suspicious circumstances.   Police and state security forces (55%) continued to be the primary perpetrators of attacks and threats against journalists, a trend that continues from the previous quarter. However, attacks by community members rose during this period, accounting for 11% of cases, with the majority of incidents linked to anti-immigration protests in South Africa. More broadly, Somalia continued to record the highest number of violations, followed by South Africa, Kenya and Uganda. Ethiopian journalist Yacob Yatane, who was in exile in Kenya, was found dead in April in Nairobi under suspicious circumstances. According to media reports, Yatane had expressed concerns about his safety and had filed reports with the National Police Service as well as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Yatane reported that he was being threatened and followed by Amharic-speaking individuals suspected to be Ethiopian nationals. In April, media reports indicated that the police investigation was still ongoing; there has been no further official update since that time. IPI calls on the authorities in Kenya to conduct a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation and provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding his death. IPI's monitoring of press freedom violations during this period identified the coverage of protests and government and political affairs as some of the contexts in which journalists faced heightened risks across the region. Authorities also continue to weaponise existing laws to target journalists. Coverage of protests and social unrest IPI documented 30 incidents in which journalists covering protests and social unrest faced physical attacks, online harassment, and threats. In South Africa, supporters of anti-immigration campaigns carried out attacks and harassment against journalists reporting on anti-immigration protests. On June 30, anti-immigration protesters in Yeoville, Johannesburg, assaulted community members. Getty Images photographer Wesley Fester and Agence France-Presse's Saamwiet Moos also came under attack, including online trolling and harassment, for their reporting on the anti-immigration protests. Journalists targeted for critical reporting on government and political affairs More than 40 journalists reporting on government and political affairs faced attacks and intimidation. Perpetrators included prominent political figures, public officials, state security forces, and political-party supporters. In Kenya, President William Ruto publicly targeted the Standard Media Group following a series of television programmes and newspaper reports critical of his administration, including their programme called "The Gallery of Ruto's Lies". On June 24, Ruto attacked the media group in a post on X, accusing it of running "extortionist propaganda" and pressuring his administration into making concessions. The incident adds to concerns about growing political hostility towards independent media, particularly ahead of the Kenyan 2027 general elections. Abuse of laws and litigation to suppress critical journalism Cybercrime laws and other restrictive legislation continued to be used to silence journalists and undermine press freedom. IPI recorded five incidents of legal harassment during the reporting period, including cases involving defamation and national security laws. In Mali, authorities arrested and detained two journalists: Chahana Takiou of 22 Septembre newspaper, and Abdrahamane Keïta of Témoins. Takiou was charged with "undermining the credibility of the state through the judicial institution" under cybercrime provisions in the country's penal code. Absurdly, Takiou was arrested and charged after criticising the use of cybercrime provisions to undermine press freedom during a panel discussion at the Pan-African Media Forum in Bamako in June. Keita was also charged with undermining national unity under the penal code, specifically following his comments on the popular TV program "Grand Jury," where he discussed the security situation in northern Mali. Environmental journalists under pressure IPI also documented 15 incidents of attacks against climate and environmental journalists during this period. In Mozambique, investigative journalist Estácio Valoi, editor of the online news portal Moz24h, continues to face escalating threats and attacks, including criminal proceedings linked to his reporting on alleged illegal export of timber. On June 16, authorities seized his work and personal equipment from his home in Pemba, Cabo Delgado province. According to media reports, in December 2025, the company in question, Safi Timber, sent threatening emails to Valoi, demanding that he remove his publication and that failure to do so would result in legal action. Source: International Press Institute (IPI)