Burkina Faso suspended the broadcasting of the French TV channel TV5 Monde-Afrique for six months within its territory for spreading disinformation, the country's Supreme Council on Information stated.
"The Supreme Council for Information suspended the broadcasting of TV5 Monde-Afrique on Tuesday, June 18th, for six months [...] The Council identified malicious insinuations and biased statements akin to disinformation," the statement read.
The Burkinabe authorities noted that they have also imposed a fine on the TV channel amounting to 50 million CFA francs (approximately $81,000).
According to the statement, the incriminated remarks appeared in the television news on Monday, June 17, which hosted as a guest Newton Ahmed Barry, a journalist who was president of the electoral commission of Burkina Faso. Many subjects were discussed on set, including current rumors of “mutiny” within the Burkinabe army.
The channel had already been suspended from broadcasting in the western African country for two weeks, from April 28, for having broadcast a Human Rights Watch report detailing purported "exactions" by soldiers against civilians. The authorities of Burkina Faso named the claims baseless and blamed the media for discrediting the army.
Burkina Faso continues its years-long struggle with terrorist groups. Radicals attack both military installations and peaceful villages. Due to the constant militant attacks, many residents have been forced to leave their homes and relocate to safer areas of the country.