Burkina Faso suspends the broadcasting of France 24, a decision that the channel "strongly deplores"

The channel's logo France 24. © FMM

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On March 27, 2023, the government of Burkina Faso announced the "suspension sine die of the broadcasting of France 24 programs throughout the national territory". The Burkinabe authorities invoke an "interview with the leader of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)" that was allegedly broadcast on the French media. The latter, in return, "strongly deplores" this decision of Ouagadougou and "contests the baseless accusations that question the professionalism of the channel". France 24 recalls that "the channel [has] never given the floor directly" to the leader of AQIM. Communiqué.

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Press release: France 24 strongly deplores the suspension of its broadcasting in Burkina Faso

France 24 became aware on Monday, March 27, 2023, through a statement from the Government of Burkina Faso, of the suspension "sine die" of the broadcasting of its programs in the country. The management of France 24 deplores this decision and disputes the baseless accusations that question the professionalism of the channel.

The Burkinabe government accuses France 24 of broadcasting an "interview with the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)", while the channel has never given him the floor directly, taking care to relate his remarks in the form of a chronicle allowing the necessary distancing and contextualization. In addition, this column confirmed for the first time that the French hostage Olivier Dubois, who has since been released, was being held by AQIM.

France 24 is indignant at the outrageous and defamatory remarks of the Burkinabe government, associating the channel with "a communication agency for these terrorists", who are trying to discredit the channel, whose independence and ethics are no longer to be demonstrated. France 24 recalls its unwavering attachment to the freedom to inform and to the professional work of its journalists.

In addition, the decision to suspend the channel comes without notice and without the procedures provided for in the France 24 broadcasting agreement established by the High Council of Communication of Burkina Faso have been implemented. However, continuous exchanges between the regulatory authority and representatives of France 24 have always allowed for a constructive dialogue. The reason that is used today by the government of the country to justify the suspension of the channel's broadcasting has never been mentioned. Last December, the Burkinabe government had already suspended RFI radio under the same exorbitant conditions of common law, exempting itself from any respect for procedures.

In Burkina Faso, France 24 is followed by a third of the population every week and more than 60% of executives and managers. It remains accessible via direct satellite reception via Eutelsat 16 A and SES 5, on YouTube, the Internet and social networks.

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Read on on the same topics:

  • France 24
  • Burkina Faso
  • Freedom of the press
  • Media
  • AQIM