The Committee to Protect Journalists has urged Burkinabe authorities to lift the suspension of BBC Africa and Voice of America and withdraw the directive to control local media coverage, as reported on Friday.
On Thursday, Burkina Faso’s media regulator, the Superior Council of Communication (CSC), announced a two-week suspension of BBC Afrique and Voice of America, citing “precautionary measures” in response to their reporting on alleged misconduct by the Burkinabe army, detailed in a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report.
Additionally, the CSC ordered internet providers to block access to the websites of BBC Africa and Voice of America and warned Burkinabe media against disseminating the HRW report’s content under threat of sanctions.
Angela Quintal, head of CPJ’s Africa program, emphasized that Burkinabe authorities should lift the suspension and refrain from censoring local journalists.
She asserted that citizens have the right to be informed about all public interest matters, including the military’s response to the country’s security crisis.
The HRW report alleged that the Burkinabe army had killed 223 civilians in the north of the country in retaliation for attacks by armed Islamist groups.
The CSC justified its actions by claiming that the broadcasts constituted “disinformation likely to discredit the Burkinabe army.”
In response, Voice of America reaffirmed its commitment to reporting and stated its intention to continue covering activities in Burkina Faso impartially.
Similarly, a BBC spokesperson expressed concern that the suspension limits the BBC’s ability to provide independent and accurate news to its audience.
Burkina Faso is currently under military rule following a September 2022 coup amidst ongoing insurgency by Islamist armed groups.
In the past, the Burkinabe authorities have suspended several international media outlets for similar reporting and attempted to conscript journalists into the military.
