Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso’s military junta has once again taken exception to coverage of news by foreign news media and suspended French media outlet ‘Jeune Afrique’.

In separate incidents Benin’s media regulator has indefinitely suspended the operations of ‘La Gazette du Golfe’, while ‘Radio Oméga’ in Burkina Faso is off the air.

The work, credibility and safety of Burkinabé reporters Lamine Traoré, Hyacinthe Sanou and Boukary Ouoba and expelled French journalists is being threatened by a deliberate disinformation strategy advanced by bogus websites.

Burkinabé authorities deport ‘Le Monde Afrique’ correspondent Sophie Douce and ‘Liberation’ correspondent Agnès Faivre.

The Burkinabé government suspends “France 24” following the French news station’s decision to report the responses made by a leading member of the jihadi rebel group operating in the region.

In separate incidents, Burkinabé journalists Lamine Traoré and Ahmed Newton Barry are threatened on WhatsApp group chats over their coverage of topical national issues.

In the wake of a second military coup in Burkina Faso, the MFWA expresses its concern over the continued negative impact of military takeovers on media rights in the West African region.

The growing precariousness of journalists comes at a time of increased freedom of expression and media rights violations across the region, which is forcing many journalists to self-censor or abandon the profession.

The calculated paralysis of Burkina Faso’s media regulator, the Superior Council for Communication (CSC), is a contributing factor to increasing attacks on the media and the continuing decline in quality journalism.

The 35-year-old Burkinabé man who produced an audio threatening prominent journalist Newton Ahmed Barry, is facing charges of hate speech and incitement through social networks.

Since May, four journalists in Burkina Faso have been the target of violent threats.

After Burkinabé journalist Newton Ahmed Barry questions Mali’s relationship with Russian mercenaries, an anonymous audio surfaces on social media, threatening the commentator.

Incidences of physical violence and death threats by officials against journalists on the rise in Burkina Faso.

During the military takeover in Burkina Faso, journalists Henry Wilkins and Sam Mednick were briefly detained, while local journalist Ibrahim Compaoré was badly injured during protests.

Deeply concerned by the serial violations in the lead up to the coup in Burkina Faso, the MFWA urges the military junta to uphold freedom of expression.

No stranger to being under attack Burkinabe journalist Yacouba Ladji Bama was shot at, on his way home after co-hosting a panel discussion on electoral corruption.