Missing SA journalist triggers press safety concerns

The reported disappearance of South African journalist Micah Reddy in Djibouti has raised concerns about the safety of journalists working in unfamiliar and high-risk environments.

Editors’ Forum of Namibia chairperson Toivo Ndjebela says the incident highlights the vulnerabilities journalists face while carrying out their work, especially when reporting outside their home countries.

Ndjebela describes the incident as “deeply” concerning, saying journalists must be able to do their jobs without fear of arbitrary detention, disappearance, intimidation or violence.

“It is a reminder that press freedom is inseparable from the safety and security of journalists,” he says.

The editors’ forum expresses hope for Reddy’s safe return and urges authorities to establish his whereabouts as a matter of urgency.

Reddy and his local fixer, Kooki Mahmoud, reportedly travelled to Djibouti on Thursday for a reporting assignment. They were allegedly staying at the Escale International hotel, believed to be owned by family members of Djiboutian president Ismaël Guelleh and a key figure in the Djiboutian secret service.

His organisation, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), has not been able to reach him since Saturday morning.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has since called on Djiboutian authorities to establish their whereabouts, confirm their safety and investigate the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.

Reddy is the African coordinator for the ICIJ and has previously worked as an investigative journalist at South Africa’s amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism.

He has reported on governance, corruption and other issues across Africa and has experience working outside South Africa.

His own previous reporting has also documented the risks journalists can encounter while working abroad.

In a 2025 account of reporting in Equatorial Guinea, Reddy described how unfamiliar regulations and restrictions could quickly place foreign journalists in difficult situations.

The editors’ forum, has, however, said safety concerns should not prevent journalists from carrying out their work.

Namibian veteran editor and media freedom advocate Gwen Lister says Reddy’s reported disappearance has raised concerns about the safety of investigative journalists in pursuit of the truth.

She says Reddy is an experienced journalist who has previously worked with the NMT Media Foundation, where he facilitated workshops for aspiring young reporters.

“The fact that he and his colleague are missing illustrates once again the very real dangers faced by investigative journalists in pursuit of the truth, and I hope they are found safe and unharmed,” she says.

The post Missing SA journalist triggers press safety concerns appeared first on The Namibian.