Reporting on environmental issues in Togo is fraught with obstacles. A joint investigation by the Togolese investigative journalists’ association Truth Reporting Post (TRP) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) highlights the challenges journalists face when entering this field.

Deforestation, unregulated mining, industrial pollution and the illegal trade in natural resources – Togo faces a wide range of environmental problems. Reporting on these issues, however, is highly challenging. Journalists who dare to investigate them expose themselves to considerable personal risks, including physical attacks. They confront powerful interests that see their economic activities threatened by such reporting and that wield significant influence across political and social circles.

Yet this work is indispensable, as environmental protection cannot be open to debate. TRP is therefore calling for greater solidarity and cooperation between journalists and civil society organisations. In addition to threats directed at journalists, their sources are often intimidated as well, making them unwilling to share information. Financial constraints also pose major obstacles, as sound reporting depends on thorough investigative work, which requires time as well as funding for equipment and travel. Furthermore, there is often a lack of specialised training. Reporting on issues such as deforestation, industrial pollution or biodiversity requires a combination of journalistic and scientific expertise that traditional journalism training programmes generally do not provide.

Here too, TRP and RSF are calling for comprehensive measures to improve the situation. However, under Togo’s current political climate, achieving these goals will be extremely difficult.