Chad Political Orientation
Government
Government Type: Presidential Republic
Leader: Interim President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, since 2021, following a (Military Coup.)
Political Party: Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS: Mouvement Patriotique du Salut)
Political Position: Right Wing – Chad is primarily governed by the Patriotic Salvation Movement, a nationalistic party with a strong military background accused of suppressing opposition parties, resulting in a one-party dominant state.
Press Freedom
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: 34.37 – Limited Freedom
World Press Freedom Rank: Chad 109 /180
According to Reporters Without Borders, Chad’s political and security landscape is highly unstable, posing considerable threats to journalists. The transition period, initiated by President Idriss Déby’s death in April 2021, was extended by two years in October 2022, further contributing to the instability. Chad, classified as not free by Freedom House’s 2023 report, has a mixed record on civil liberties. Chad’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, but the government has been known to suppress dissent and control the media.
Media Ownership and Government Analysis
Chad, a Central African nation and former French colony, gained independence in 1960. President Idriss Deby led Chad for 30 years until his death in 2021 during a conflict with Libyan rebels. Chad was structured as a multi-party democratic state, but in practice, power was firmly held at the top, with Déby allowing no substantial opposition throughout his thirty-year tenure. During his time, He managed to suppress several rebellions, often with the help of France, which operates a major military base in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena. Deby’s son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, a military general, succeeded him, leading the military junta and receiving French support, as indicated by a meeting with French President Macron.
Chad, with a majority Muslim population and a significant Christian minority, faces issues like poverty, insufficient infrastructure, and population displacement due to conflicts and the impacts of climate change, particularly accelerated desertification and the drying up of Lake Chad.
Regarding media, in Chad, the government maintains significant control over the media landscape. The communication ministry manages state media, appoints editors, and selects media regulators. Criticism of top officials is not allowed with consequences such as risking suspensions, arrests, or expulsions.
Access to official information is limited; however, the government controls the state-run Télé Tchad, as well as the national radio station Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne. A few independent newspapers and radio stations are often subject to censorship.
In conclusion, the government tightly controls Chad’s media, with limited independent outlets and strict censorship, creating challenges for both media freedom and access to information.
Last Updated on June 5, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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