TOGO: TWO JOURNALISTS SUMMONS TO APPEAR ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2023 BEFORE THE HIGH COURT OF LOMÉ

Journalism in Togo is increasingly becoming one of the riskiest professions, as media professionals face growing threats, legal actions, and censorship. Sanctions against journalists—ranging from suspensions to judicial summons—have become alarmingly frequent.

Recently, SIKA MAGAZINE reported that two prominent journalists, Isidore Akollor, Publication Director of Actu EXPRESS, and Jérôme Sossou, Publication Director of *Triangle des Enjeux*, were summoned to appear before the Lomé Court on February 13, 2023. The case, initiated by Baby Amorin, is linked to a dispute involving Mrs. Aba Olympio, with the journalists accused of defamation.

This case follows similar actions against other media outlets such as *Liberté* and *Tampa Express*, reflecting a pattern of judicial pressure on the press. With the media regulator, Haute Autorité de l’Audiovisuel et de la Communication (HAAC), unable to intervene in some cases, journalists are left vulnerable to legal harassment.

As a result, self-censorship is now deeply ingrained in Togolese journalism. The fear of legal reprisals has forced many journalists to restrain their reporting, undermining press freedom. Investigative journalism, in particular, has suffered, with many professionals opting for silence rather than risk prosecution.

Observers note that this climate of intimidation is more damaging than direct censorship, as it stifles not just reporting but also independent thought. With experienced journalists like Akollor and Sossou under legal threat, the future of press freedom in Togo remains uncertain.