Burkina Faso’s government suspended Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts for three months, citing controversial comments from one of the network’s journalists. The move is part of the ruling military junta’s broader crackdown on international media.
The country’s Superior Council for Communication (CSC) accused VOA of undermining morale among its armed forces and neighbouring Mali’s military during a September 19 broadcast. According to reports, a privately owned radio station in Burkina Faso later aired the interview in question.
VOA spokesperson Nigel Gibbs acknowledged the suspension, stating that the organization had turned off its FM transmitter in Ouagadougou, the capital. “While we respect Burkina Faso’s media regulations, we strongly disagree with the CSC’s claims,” Gibbs said.
Allegations of Demoralizing Troops and Terrorism Sympathy
The CSC’s communique, issued Monday, claimed that comments in the broadcast downplayed efforts by the Sahel States Alliance to reclaim territory from extremist groups. It also accused a VOA journalist of making statements that seemed to condone terrorism. The council said the suspension was necessary to halt “the spread of harmful narratives” that could destabilize the region.
VOA strongly refuted these allegations. Gibbs emphasized that the broadcast aimed to inform audiences on critical security issues and maintained that the reporting was fair and objective. “We regret that the CSC interpreted it otherwise,” he added.
Local Media Faces Restrictions
In an additional blow to press freedom, the CSC has also prohibited local media from using report sources from international outlets. The council claimed that some of these reports were “malicious and biased,” subtly justifying terrorist activities.
Attempts to contact the CSC for comments were unsuccessful, with phone numbers disconnected and online contact forms returning error messages. Neither the U.S. Agency for Global Media, VOA’s parent organization, nor Burkina Faso’s Foreign Ministry responded to requests for further comment.
A Pattern of Media Suppression
This is not the first time Burkina Faso’s authorities have targeted VOA. In April, both VOA and the BBC were suspended after airing reports about a Human Rights Watch investigation that accused the Burkinabe military of committing abuses against civilians. At that time, VOA’s acting director, John Lippman, reaffirmed the network’s commitment to fair and accurate reporting.
Since a military coup in September 2022, media freedoms have eroded rapidly in Burkina Faso. Journalists face growing restrictions, with suspensions and expulsions becoming more common.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Burkina Faso’s press freedom ranking has plummeted. In 2021, it held the 37th position globally, but by this year, the country had slipped to 86th, reflecting the worsening climate for journalists.
