Agadez, a historic crossroads for migration routes, is now at the centre of a debate intertwining human tragedy, security, and media responsibility. Journalists, who often witness extreme violence and profound acts of solidarity, are receiving training to improve their ability to document migratory journeys while protecting individuals in transit from exploitation or manipulation. Led by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in collaboration with Alternative Espaces Citoyens Agadez, this initiative aims to provide professionals with the legal and methodological tools necessary to identify violations, protect sources, and approach stories with dignity. In practice, reports influence political decisions, humanitarian responses and public perceptions in areas between points of departure and transit. Training journalists improves the quality of information, contributing to the prevention of abuses and the establishment of early warning mechanisms in times of crisis. By enhancing skills and promoting ethical standards, these sessions seek to transform reporting into a means of monitoring and advocacy, humanising statistics and providing a more accurate representation of the suffering and resilience that define the region.

The central role of the journalist

The decision to focus on journalists is a strategic one.

‘There is no one better than journalists to raise awareness of the suffering and vulnerability of these people at the hands of certain individuals and traffickers,’ explains Mr Seydou Assane, Regional Coordinator of Alternative Espaces Citoyens Agadez. The main idea behind this gathering is to empower media professionals to fulfil their mission of providing information and, by extension, protecting human rights to the best of their ability.

The invited journalists came from the regions of Zinder, Tahoua and Agadez – a deliberate choice, as these areas are the main departure and transit points for migrants heading north or returning home. Life in these regions exposes migrants to constant danger, highlighting the importance of informed and responsible media coverage.

A dual necessity: To inform and to train.

According to Mr Seydou Assane, the training focused on two key areas: “To inform and to train.”

“Inform: The goal was to update journalists on the full range of human rights, with a particular focus on the rights of vulnerable people, such as migrants.

Train: This concerned how these topics are handled. Knowing the facts is not enough; the manner in which information is reported is crucial in order to avoid causing further harm to people who are already in precarious situations.”

“The idea was for them to be both trained and informed,” insists the Regional Coordinator of the NGO Alternative Espaces Citoyens (AEC).

The harsh reality for migrants and traffickers

Mr Seydou Assane describes traffickers as people who organise migrants’ journeys while charging extremely high prices. Even worse, these practices continually expose migrants to grave danger. Since they operate illegally, traffickers are often willing to abandon migrants in the desert at the slightest risk of being caught. According to the coordinator of Alternative Espaces Citoyens Agadez (AEC), such situations are commonplace, necessitating the intervention of military patrols. These armed forces are often the first to locate migrants in distress and save them from inevitable doom. “It is these stories of suffering and vulnerability that journalists have a responsibility to report accurately and sensitively,” says Mr Assane.

Towards greater protection

Journalists are best placed to raise public and policymaker awareness of the dangers and suffering experienced by migrants. According to Seydou Assane, in order to fulfil their mission of protecting migrants’ rights, these media professionals must receive proper training and information.

“The long-term goal is to empower journalists to advocate for and monitor the rights of migrants, a population which is often dehumanised and exploited. Their role is not limited to mere storytelling; it also involves keeping a watchful eye out for abuses and violations”.

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) initiative in Agadez therefore represents a significant development. By strengthening the capacities of journalists from Zinder, Tahoua and Agadez, the initiative aims to improve the quality of migration reporting, humanise statistics, and ultimately contribute to better protecting people in transit.