Independent journalism in Mozambique is facing considerable legal, political, and economic pressures as the country’s hard-fought democratic gains of the past three decades come under increasing strain. 

This pressure on journalism was among the top-line findings of a four-day mission to Mozambique conducted by the International Press Institute (IPI) in August 2022. During this mission, a high-level IPI delegation led by IPI Executive Board Chair Khadija Patel met with a range of stakeholders, including government, media, journalists, diplomats, and civil society, to assess the challenges faced by the media and to support independent journalism in the country.

The purpose of this mission was to learn more about the country’s media environment and the challenges that journalists in Mozambique face in being able to do their work freely, independently, and safely. During our visit,  the IPI delegation engaged in a substantive dialogue with a range of stakeholders that included journalists, civil society, government, political parties, and members of the diplomatic community.