Burkina Faso’s Junta Suspends Voice of America Broadcasts Amidst Media Crackdown
Burkina Faso’s military regime has suspended Voice of America’s broadcasts for three months due to its reporting on militant attacks in the region. The junta claims that the broadcasts undermined military morale, reflecting a continued crackdown on media freedom since its takeover in 2022. This is part of a broader trend of media suppression amid escalating violence in the country, which has led to numerous civilian casualties and significant displacement.
The military junta governing Burkina Faso has imposed a three-month suspension on the broadcasts of Voice of America (VOA) due to its reporting on militant violence in the nation and neighboring Mali. This decision, reported by the state-run news agency, is viewed as a further assault on media freedom within the country. According to Burkina Faso’s media regulator, a specific September broadcast was accused of attempting to “undermine the morale” of the armed forces engaged in conflict. Since the junta took power in 2022 amidst rising violence, it has been criticized for targeting journalists and dissenting voices; several media outlets have been suspended, and numerous critics have been conscripted into the military. Earlier in the year, both VOA and the BBC faced a two-week suspension over their coverage of a Human Rights Watch report detailing civilian casualties attributed to the armed forces. The media regulator specifically condemned VOA’s Washington Forum program for its coverage of a militant assault on a military training facility in Mali, which was carried out by the al-Qaida-affiliated group JNIM. Additionally, the regulator took issue with reports on a significant militant incident in central Burkina Faso, which resulted in the deaths of more than 100 individuals, including villagers and soldiers. The ongoing violence, primarily between state forces and militants linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State, has adversely affected the nation for close to a decade, leading to over 20,000 fatalities and displacing more than 2 million individuals, many of whom are children.
Burkina Faso has endured prolonged conflict, largely stemming from the activities of militant groups associated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State. This violence has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread displacement, creating a humanitarian crisis in the region. The military junta that assumed power in 2022 has responded to these challenges by controlling media narratives, which includes targeting foreign news organizations that report on sensitive issues, particularly relating to military operations and civilian casualties.
The suspension of Voice of America’s broadcasts in Burkina Faso highlights the increasing repression of media freedom under the ruling military junta. By targeting international news organizations, the government aims to control public perception amidst ongoing violence and public scrutiny related to its military’s operations. The broader implications of this suspension may further threaten journalistic practices and the dissemination of critical information in a country already grappling with severe humanitarian challenges.
Original Source: www.wral.com
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