Chahana Takiou, a Malian journalist and publishing director of the 22 Septembre newspaper, has been sentenced to one year in prison under the country’s cybercrime law. He was accused of “undermining the credibility of the state” for publicly criticising the judicial system. Takiou had been held in custody since 8 June. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Union Nationale des Journalistes du Mali (UNAJOM), in condemning this heavy-handed sentence, which has become a systematic tactic used by the military junta to silence journalists.
The National Cybercrime Unit sentenced journalist Chahana Takiou to one year in prison, six months of which were suspended. Takiou was arrested on 8 June in connection with comments he had made at the Pan-African Media Forum in Bamako. The journalist denounced the use of cybercrime legislation against journalists, arguing that media professionals should instead be tried under press laws.
Since the military junta seized power in Mali in 2020, freedom of speech and media freedom have been severely restricted. There has been an alarming increase in the intimidation, harassment and imprisonment of journalists, as well as a tightening crackdown on media organisations.
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Takiou’s case reveals the systematic pattern used by the military junta to silence journalists. On 9 June, Abdramane Keita, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Le Temoin was arrested and is currently being held in custody under the Cybercriminal Act. The trial is expected to begin in August. Similarly, on 5 February, journalist Youssouf Sissoko was arrested and charged under the 2019 Cybercriminal Act for allegedly publishing “false information”, for which he was sentenced to two years imprisonment.
IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, noted that weaponising cybercrime laws to silence and imprison journalists undermines freedom of expression and media freedom. “It is unacceptable to use vague and unfounded cybercrime charges to silence journalists. Freedom of speech and media freedom are fundamental rights that must be respected by all. Journalists should not be criminalized for expressing their views, including criticizing state institutions. Journalists must be allowed to carry out their duties without fear.”
The IFJ calls on the Malian authorities to drop all charges against journalist Takiou and demands the release of all journalists who are currently in custody.
