Journalists' organizations condemn the suspension of RFI and France 24 in Mali
The various journalists' organizations in West Africa denounce the decision of the Malian authorities.
(illustrative image) FMM Graphics Studio
Text by: David Baché
3 mins
RFI's FM waves have been cut throughout Mali since midday Thursday.
Consequence of the decision of the Malian transitional authorities to suspend RFI and France 24, after the broadcast of testimonies reporting abuses by the Malian army in the center of the country.
A suspension denounced by the various organizations of journalists in West Africa.
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Bamako, which notes that similar allegations have been reported by the United Nations and by the human rights defense association Human Rights Watch, considers that, according to the official communiqué of the transitional government, it is a "
attempt to destabilize the transition, to demoralize the Malian people, and to discredit the valiant Fama
”, the Malian armed forces.
The France Médias Monde group, parent company of RFI and France 24, “
deplores this decision and strongly protests against the unfounded accusations and recalls its unfailing attachment to the freedom to inform and to the professional work of its journalists
”.
►
Mali suspends broadcasting of RFI and France 24
For his part, the Ivorian journalist Noël Yao, president of the Union of Journalists of the Free African Press, asks the Malian authorities to revise their position, considering that freedom of the press is "
fundamental and sacred
" and that it "
participates in all the democratic efforts that must be made to get this country out of the crisis
".
"
It is important that the Malian authorities review their position and reconsider this decision, which is good neither for the democratic process nor for press freedom in Africa,
" notes Noël Yao.
When facts are alleged, there is always the possibility of reacting, of having the right of reply, of replying, so that the version of the authorities is known and there is a balance of information.
But the method is not to silence these two media because we do not agree with the facts reported.
The free African press cannot accept that media be banned in this way.
»
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In Mali, how to continue to listen to RFI and watch France 24?
Same story on the side of Ujao, the Union of West African Journalists, of which the Senegalese journalist Bamba Kassé is the secretary general.
“
Even if the junta in Mali has problems with the French government, we didn't think it was going to extend to the French media.
However, in this case, the junta is targeting the French media, which it certainly considers to be relays.
While the reality is quite different.
Journalists are professionals who do not respond to orders, who do information work.
»
Bamba Kassé recalls that “
if the junta thinks that the incriminated media have not done their job properly, in Mali there are mechanisms provided for by law: they can lodge a complaint.
He also underlines that "
the same question has been dealt with by the UN, by HRW, it is quite normal for the media to talk about it
".
“
Where is the problem?
“, he asks.
The junta sees this as proof of a concerted strategy to destabilize the transition.
"
When you want to kill your dog, you accuse him of rage,
" retorts the journalist.
Perhaps these two media bothered them in their current policy.
They were looking for the little beast to get rid of.
»
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