Burkina Faso Suspends U.S.-Funded Broadcaster Voice of America

Burkina Faso’s military junta has suspended U.S.-funded broadcaster Voice of America (VOA) for three months, accusing it of undermining morale in the armed forces through coverage of the jihadist insurgency plaguing West Africa’s Sahel region. The suspension follows comments made during a VOA broadcast on September 19, where a journalist described a jihadist attack in Mali as “courageous” and criticised security operations. The remarks were aired by a local radio station, leading the Superior Council for Communication (CSC) to temporarily ban local news outlets from using reports from international media.

The CSC cited concerns that the coverage presented biased and malicious narratives, potentially apologising for terrorism.

Rising Media Restrictions Amid Security Challenges

Burkina Faso has faced Islamist insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State for over a decade, leading to thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. Frustration over the government’s failure to contain the violence has contributed to multiple coups in the region, including in Mali and Niger.

Also read: Burkina Faso Nationalises Two Gold Mines

Since taking power, the junta has responded to criticism by imposing stringent media restrictions. Earlier this year, it suspended VOA, BBC Africa, and other international outlets for two weeks over their coverage of a Human Rights Watch report accusing the military of extrajudicial killings, allegations the government denies. Recently, the CSC also withdrew radio frequencies for France’s RFI, a major outlet covering the Sahel, without explanation.

The State of Press Freedom

The escalation of media restrictions signals a concerning decline in press freedom. Burkina Faso’s ranking on the World Press Freedom Index has fallen from 37th out of 180 countries in 2021 to 86th in 2023. These measures further isolate the country from external perspectives and restrict the flow of information, raising concerns about transparency and accountability as the nation grapples with ongoing security challenges.