French magazine is suspended by the Burkina Faso junta due to "untruthful" articles.
The French news publication Jeune Afrique was suspended on Monday by the military junta of Burkina Faso for publishing "untruthful" articles about stress and unhappiness in the nation's armed forces, the statement stated.
The suspension of Jeune Afrique is the most recent escalation in a campaign against French media since the West African nation was placed under military administration last year.
In response to two pieces that were published over the previous four days, the publication was charged with trying to undermine the armed forces and with using misinformation to "spread chaos" throughout the nation.
A strained connection
Relations between Burkina Faso and France, its former colonizer, have deteriorated ever since two military coups last year were sparked by worries about the country's escalating insecurity due to a jihadist insurgency.
The French ambassador to the nation received an expulsion order as a result of these tensions, which also sparked a backlash against foreign media.
French-funded media outlets Radio France Internationale and France24 have already been suspended by the junta for allegedly giving voice to Islamist terrorists mounting an uprising across the Sahel region south of the Sahara. The allegations were refuted by both media.
A report about the insurgency that aired on the French television station La Chaine Info of the private broadcaster TF1 was deemed to have "lacked objectivity" and was consequently suspended for three months in June. At the time, TF1 declined to comment.
Two French journalists who worked for the publications Le Monde and Liberation were banished from the nation in April.
The two journalists, according to Liberation, were of "perfect integrity" and had all of their paperwork in order, thus the suspension was uncalled for.
The suspension of the French news publication Jeune Afrique by the military junta in Burkina Faso reflects a broader context of strained relations between Burkina Faso and France, its former colonial power. Key points and background of this situation:
Jeune Afrique Suspension: Jeune Afrique, a well-known French magazine specializing in African affairs, was suspended by Burkina Faso's military junta. The reason cited for the suspension was the publication of "untruthful" articles that allegedly depicted stress and unhappiness within the nation's armed forces. These articles were accused of attempting to undermine the armed forces and spreading chaos in the country.
Military Junta: Burkina Faso came under military administration as a result of two military coups that occurred in the previous year. These coups were driven, in part, by concerns about the country's escalating insecurity due to a jihadist insurgency. The military junta took control of the government, leading to a shift in the country's political landscape.
Strained Relations with France: Burkina Faso's relationship with France, its former colonial ruler, has deteriorated in recent times. The deterioration began with the military coups and concerns about Burkina Faso's security situation. France has historically maintained close ties with its former colonies in Africa and has played a significant role in their affairs.
French Ambassador Expulsion: As a sign of the deteriorating relations, Burkina Faso ordered the expulsion of the French ambassador to the country. This expulsion was a response to the tensions and was indicative of the growing divide between the two nations.
Suspension of French Media: Jeune Afrique is not the only French media outlet to face suspension or expulsion in Burkina Faso. Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France24, both French-funded media outlets, were also suspended by the junta. They were accused of giving voice to Islamist terrorists operating in the Sahel region, south of the Sahara. These allegations were denied by the media organizations.
Challenges for Journalism: The suspension of Jeune Afrique and other French media outlets in Burkina Faso highlights the challenges faced by journalists and media organizations in covering sensitive issues, such as the insurgency in the Sahel region. Accusations of bias or spreading misinformation can lead to censorship or expulsion, making it difficult for journalists to report objectively.
Expulsion of French Journalists: In addition to media outlets, individual French journalists working for publications like Le Monde and Liberation were also banished from Burkina Faso. These journalists were described as having "perfect integrity" and proper documentation, raising concerns about the justifiability of their expulsion.
The situation in Burkina Faso reflects a complex interplay of political, security, and media-related issues, with tensions between the military junta and French entities at the centre of this evolving story. It underscores the challenges faced by journalists and media organizations in reporting on sensitive topics in regions with political instability and security concerns.