Transitional authorities in Burkina Faso have decided to suspend French television channel France 24 over an interview the channel gave to a terrorist leader, according to a statement released Monday (March 27) by a government spokesperson. , Emmanuel Ouedraogo.
“It is with regret that the government discovered two weeks ago an interview with the ‘leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb’ on France 24, of the France Media World group. Without contesting the freedom of the editorial choices of the channel, the government nevertheless wonders about the ethics which govern the professional exercise of journalism on France 24 ”, states the document.
Reacting to Bamako’s remarks, the management of France 24 deplores the measure to suspend « sine die » the broadcasting of its programs in the country and contests the baseless accusations which call into question the professionalism of the channel.
The Burkinabè government criticizes France 24 for broadcasting an « interview with the Head of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) », although the channel has never given him the floor directly, taking care to relate his remarks under the form of a chronicle allowing the necessary distancing and contextualization. In addition, this column made it possible for the first time to confirm that the French hostage Olivier Dubois, released since, was retained by AQIM, explains the chain.
And to continue, France 24 is indignant at the outrageous and defamatory remarks of the Burkinabè 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 at stake. demonstrate. France 24 recalls its unfailing attachment to freedom of information and to the professional work of its journalists.
This French channel also disapproves of the fact that the decision to suspend the channel comes without notice and without the procedures provided for in the France 24 broadcasting agreement drawn up by the Superior Council of Communication of Burkina Faso having been implemented.
However, she adds, continuous exchanges between the regulatory authority and representatives of France 24 have always allowed a constructive dialogue. Never was mentioned the reason that serves as a pretext today for the government of the country to justify the suspension of the broadcast of the channel.
The suspension of France 24 comes less than four months after that of French radio RFI for broadcasting false information and providing a forum for Islamist militants, according to a government statement.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1106 of 03/28/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
