Burkina Faso suspends broadcasting of Radio France Internationale
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The Burkinabe authorities announced on Saturday the suspension of the broadcasting of Radio France Internationale programmes until further notice for "shortcomings in the treatment of information".
This is contained in a statement issued by the government spokesperson, Jean-Emmanuel Ouédraogo. Mr Ouédraogo, who is also Minister of Communication.
He explained that in a report broadcast on 3 December 2022, Radio France Internationale (RFI) "relayed a message of intimidation of the population attributed to a terrorist leader".
According to him, this media "contributes to a desperate manoeuvre by terrorist groups to dissuade the thousands of Burkinabè mobilised for the defence of their homeland, rowing against the current of actions underway to restore the integrity of our territory".
In addition to this serious failure, the government spokesperson said, the press review on 2 December, repeated misleading information, indicating that "the president of the transition, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, assures that an attempted coup has targeted his power".
He recalled that on 3 November, the government had already expressed its indignation at the tendentious attitude of the journalists of this media and their propensity to discredit the struggle in which the Burkinabe people are engaged for more freedom and dignity.
"In view of the above, the government has decided to immediately suspend the broadcasting of Radio France Internationale programmes throughout the country until further notice," the government spokesperson wrote.
The Burkinabe government reaffirms its commitment to freedom of the press and opinion, but also to the public's right to information.
However, it calls for respect for the rules and principles laid down in this area in the country.
Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France 24 programmes have been suspended since March 2022 in Mali, which is also ruled by a military transition and is also suffering from terrorism like Burkina Faso.
-0- PANA TNDD/JSG/BBA/MA 3Dec2022
