Chad is a nation whose constitution allows for both freedom of press and expression. However citizens are having their voices and rights oppressed routinely by authorities through the use of threats and legal prosecution.
Chad's main medium is state controlled radio that allows for few opposing views. Radio licenses are granted by the HCC, which are subject to strong influence by the government and is also said to monitor and control radio content. Permission from the prosecutor’s office, the High Council of Communication (HCC), and the Ministry of Commerce are also required before establishing a newspaper. The NGO Amnesty International reported 65 associations banned from demonstrating in two years and more than 10 websites blocked in 2016. Media criticism of the president is not tolerated and is met with increasing bans on demonstrations and restrictions on freedom of expression, says Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Harassment of journalists by security agency officers "has created such fear among the press that journalists are going into hiding", the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said in 2017. The Committee to Protect Journalist has reported instances of police brutality, legal prosecution and threats such as when the (CPJ) condemned Chadian authorities’ ejection of a French journalist Laurent Correau on June 26th, 2015 , reporter for Radio France Internationale, was assaulted by police alongside an international human rights defender before being expelled, according to news reports.
According to reports by Freedom House Chad's council of communication has gone above and beyond in there attempt to silence any dissenting views. A 2008 press law, Decree No. 5, increased the maximum penalty for false news and defamation to three years in prison and the maximum penalty for insulting the president to five years. In 2008, the High Council of Communication (HCC), Chad’s media regulatory body, banned reporting on the activities of rebels and any other information that could harm national unity.
NGO Amnesty International concludes Human rights defenders, members of citizen movements, trade unionists and journalists who criticize the regime are increasingly threatened and have called on authorities to modify these practices.