The decision by the High Authority of Communication (HAC) in Mali to suspend the French news channel La Chaîne Info (LCI) raises serious concerns about the protection of press freedom, media plurality, and diverse opinions in the country.
Following the broadcast on 27 July of a programme titled ‘Wagner Decimated in Mali: The Hand of Kiev’, the HAC decided to remove LCI from distribution packages for two months, effective from 23 August 2024. The HAC specifically criticised the guest on the programme for making defamatory statements and allegedly inciting support for terrorism.
This suspension takes place in an increasingly restrictive environment for the media in Mali, where authorities frequently resort to suspending or shutting down critical media outlets perceived as harmful to the government’s image and its allies, as well as repressing journalists.
In January 2024, France 2 television faced a similar sanction for content deemed inappropriate concerning security.
The repeated suspensions of media outlets pose a serious threat to media pluralism and diverse debate on public interest issues, such as the country’s security.
This situation is particularly concerning given that the country’s authorities face significant security and democratic challenges, and a free, plural, and diverse media space is vital to ensure informed reporting and diverse opinions that enlighten citizens on accountability and civic participation.
It is crucial that the Malian authorities respect the principles of press freedom and the right to information by avoiding disproportionate measures against the media.
While recognising the legitimate mission of all parties to ensure the integrity of information, we call on the High Authority of Communication (HAC) to prioritise less restrictive approaches that guarantee the continuity of the media’s role in informing, uphold the plurality of opinions in the media, encourage constructive dialogue, and urge relevant authorities to favour rights of reply, proactive disclosure of official information for balanced coverage of content deemed critical or incorrect, as well as ongoing education for citizens as recipients of diverse information.
For more information, please contact:
Maateuw Mbaye, Protection and Civic Space Officer, ARTICLE 19 Senegal/West Africa
Email: maateuwmbaye@article19.org Tel: +221785958337
Aissata Diallo Dieng, Office Manager, ARTICLE 19 Senegal/West Africa
Email : senegal@article19.org Tel : +221338690322