The ruling military junta has initiated proceedings to cut off the two French news media.
Geopolitical tensions are accumulating for the audiovisual outside of France and its two main media France 24 and RFI. A week after being disconnected from Russia, the two media are the targets of the Malian junta. On Thursday, it ordered the suspension of their broadcast in this highly strategic country for France Médias Monde, a public service entity.
The Malian junta accuses the French media of disseminating information according to which the Malian army is involved in abuses against civilians. It indicated that it had implemented a procedure for suspending the broadcasting of RFI and France 24. This decision is “serious” and “the sign of a race forward towards the worst” for the Sahelian country, denounced French President Emmanuel Macron.
Nine correspondents
France Médias Monde, the parent company of RFI and France 24, reacted: “The group deplores this decision and strongly protests against the unfounded accusations seriously questioning the professionalism of its branches. France Médias Monde will study all avenues of appeal so that such a decision is not implemented and recalls its unfailing attachment to the freedom to inform as well as to the professional work of its journalists..
The two French media are followed daily by almost a third of the 20 million Malians. In the country, RFI radio is broadcast in FM thanks to 6 relays, but also thanks to several satellites and via partner radios. It broadcasts in several languages: French, Mandenkan and Fulfulde. The France 24 news channel is broadcast unencrypted by satellite, in the Canal+ package and is available in the offers of Malian operators.
Mali is a strategic country for France 24 and RFI. The two media have a total of 9 correspondents in Mali. Their presence becomes more complicated every day as political relations between Mali and France deteriorate. France has announced the gradual withdrawal of the Barkhane intervention force, nine years after having intervened.