Burkina Faso summons Newspaper Chief over article on Mali

Burkina Faso’s media regulator has summoned the editor-in-chief of Observateur Paalga, a prominent local newspaper, along with one of its journalists, over an article about neighboring Mali.

The High Council for Communication (CSC), the country’s media oversight body, scheduled the hearing for Thursday, November 28, citing allegations that the newspaper’s publication violated laws, ethical standards, and journalistic professionalism.

The article in question, titled “Malian Armed Forces: Loads of Generals” (translated), criticized the recent promotion of several high-ranking officials in Mali’s military-led government. The piece specifically commented on the junta leader’s decision to elevate himself to the highest military rank and the promotion of five influential colonels to four-star generals.

Mali’s ruling junta has faced scrutiny for its actions since seizing power, and the promotions have sparked debate over their implications for governance and military effectiveness in the region.

This development comes shortly after Mali’s junta cut the broadcast signal of Joliba TV News, a popular news outlet, following critical comments by a prominent politician about Burkina Faso’s military rulers.

The increasing pressure on journalists in the region highlights broader concerns about press freedom. In September, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned that journalists across the Sahel face heightened security risks and growing restrictions on free expression.

The CSC, which oversees media compliance in Burkina Faso, includes members with expertise in law and journalism. It has emphasized the importance of ethical reporting but has also been criticized for its role in suppressing dissenting voices.

Observers note that the growing crackdown on media in the Sahel reflects the fragile political climate and the challenges of maintaining press freedom under military-led governments.

The outcome of Thursday’s hearing could set a precedent for media-government relations in Burkina Faso and beyond.