Burkina Faso Suspends BBC, Voice of America, Reason Emerges
- Burkina Faso has suspended the BBC and Voice of America radio networks from broadcasting
- Burkina Faso suspended the media platforms after they aired a rights report accusing the army of attacks on civilians in its battle against jihadists
- The British and US broadcasters are the latest international media organisations to be targeted since Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power in the West African country in a September 2022 coup
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso - Burkina Faso has temporarily suspended the programmes of the BBC and Voice of America (VOA).
As reported by Al Jazeera on Friday, April 26, the decision of the French-speaking country follows the broadcast of news stories about a Human Rights Watch report accusing the Burkinabè army of abuses against civilian populations.
Source: UGC
The story alleged that the Burkina Faso army massacred 223 villagers in a revenge attack.
The country’s superior council for communication (CSC) announced late on Thursday, April 25, that “the programmes of these two international radio networks broadcasting from Ouagadougou have been suspended for two weeks”.
Le Monde also noted the development.
Burkina Faso's press sanctions: Not the first time
It is not the first time that Burkina Faso has targeted media outlets with sanctions.
In March 2023, it suspended all broadcasts by the France 24 news channel a few months after also suspending Radio France Internationale (RFI). It accused both public media outlets of having relayed jihadist leaders' messages. The following month the correspondents of French newspapers Liberation and Le Monde were expelled.
Also, the junta-led government suspended the print and online operations of French media outlet Jeune Afrique in the country after the publication of two articles about tensions within the military.
In June 2023, it suspended French TV channel La Chaîne Info (LCI) for three months.
Read more on Burkina Faso junta
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Tinubu speaks amid Burkina Faso's threat
YEN.com.gh earlier reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu tasked the newly inaugurated legislators of the ECOWAS parliament to ensure that Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain in the subregional body.
Tinubu, who also serves as the chairman of the regional body, stated this before the swear-in of the legislators at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.
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Source: Legit.ng
Delali Adogla-Bessa (Current Affairs Editor) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.
Berlinda Entsie (Copy Editor) Berlinda Entsie is a Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh. She has worked as a proofreader and editor since 2016. Berlinda has over 5 years' experience editing and writing for leading publications in Ghana. She previously worked with Graphic Communications Group LTD, Business Insider SSA and Pulse.com.gh. She obtained a B.A in English Studies from the Methodist University College in 2016 and a Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the GH Media School in 2019. Reach out to her via berlinda.entsie@yen.com.gh
