World Press Freedom Day: Africans endorse media watchdog role, but perceptions of freedom are mixed

A majority of Africans (72%) support the media's role in holding governments accountable. While support for press freedom is a majority position in nearly all surveyed countries, substantial minorities, particularly in Mali, favor government control over media. Citizen assessments of media freedom protection in their countries are mixed, with a slim majority viewing the media as largely free, a perception that has slightly declined over the past five years.