Six days before Chad’s legislative elections, the nation’s private media outlets—spanning print, radio, and online platforms—have escalated their protest with a “blank day” general strike on Monday, December 23. Organized by various media collectives and unions, the strike responds to what they describe as discriminatory actions by the country’s media regulatory authority, Hama.
The conflict stems from Hama’s controversial decision to ban online media from broadcasting audiovisual content, a move temporarily overturned by the Supreme Court. Despite this judicial reprieve, media outlets remain wary of further regulatory actions. “We remain vigilant. Hama may appeal; we don’t know. The strike will continue until Tuesday. However, Hama must respect the Supreme Court’s decision and annul decision number 55”, said Gérard Kétong Daliam, editor-in-chief of the N’Djam Post.
On Tuesday, December 24, the strike is set to widen as all private media—radio, print, and online—plan to join in, demanding long-overdue subsidies guaranteed by law. These subsidies, which range between 1 and 4 million CFA francs per outlet, have not been disbursed this year. Juda Allahondoum, president of the media group ‘Le Visionnaire’ and head of the Patronat de la Presse Tchadienne, has vowed stronger measures if demands are not met.
“If no solution is found, we are prepared to escalate. The media will black out the entire national territory and cease all coverage of the December 29 elections”, Allahondoum warned.
In a symbolic act of defiance, private media outlets announced plans to return their badges and vests issued by Hama for election coverage, signaling a complete withdrawal from reporting on electoral activities if their grievances remain unresolved. This mounting crisis highlights growing tensions between Chad’s press and its regulatory authorities, raising concerns over the impact on election transparency and the broader state of press freedom in the country.