Online news platforms in Chad have raised concerns following new measures announced by authorities to tighten media regulations just over two months before the scheduled elections.
The Association of Chad’s Online Media (AMET) expressed apprehension that the decisions from the country’s main media authority, the High Authority for Audiovisual Media (HAMA), signal an attempt to curtail the operations of digital news outlets.
Last week, Abderamane Barka, head of HAMA, stated that any private newspaper, whether print or online, broadcasting audio or visual content instead of sticking solely to written articles, would face suspension. Barka also warned that private media outlets using Facebook pages to share information beyond “original content” would face similar consequences. He emphasised the need for a “continued clean-up of the Chadian media landscape.”
In response, AMET issued a statement expressing its concerns, suggesting that the measures appear to extend beyond the legal framework and restrict media freedom.
This comes as restrictions increase on press freedom under Chad’s current leadership. Mahamat Deby took power in April 2021 after his father, long-time ruler Idriss Deby Itno, was killed in clashes with rebels. He was declared head of state by the army and won a presidential election in May that was boycotted by the opposition and criticised by international observers for lacking credibility.
Chad is scheduled to hold parliamentary and local elections on December 29. Tensions in the capital, N’Djamena, have escalated following the recent killing of a former intelligence commander and his son by unidentified gunmen. Authorities responded with an order for a city-wide security operation, deploying heavily armed soldiers to conduct weapon searches in certain areas.
On Saturday, state television announced a minor government reshuffle, including the replacement of the security minister. Opposition parties have already declared their refusal to participate in the upcoming elections, condemning what they describe as a harmful climate of dictatorship and terror.