Burkina Faso suspends French media outlet for spreading fake news

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Website
26 Sep 2023 15:30
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The transitional government of Burkina Faso has suspended all Jeune Afrique distribution media in the country following the publication of articles discrediting the national army.

Posters advertising the French newspaper 'Jeune Afrique' plastered on a wall in downtown Kigali, on August 2, 2018 (AFP)

The transitional government of Burkina Faso suspended all distribution of media associated with French news outlet Jeune Afrique in the country starting Monday, September 25, France 24 reported, citing an official statement issued by the government.

The government's move comes in response to a misleading article promoting misinformation titled 'Tensions persist in Burkina Faso army,' which was published by Jeune Afrique on Monday.

This publication followed a previous article on the same website published last Thursday, in which Jeune Afrique alleged that 'discontent is growing in Burkina Faso barracks'.

"These deliberate assertions, made without the slightest hint of proof, have no other purpose than to discredit the national armed forces and, by extension, all fighting forces in an unacceptable manner," the statement issued by the government read.

While some individuals interviewed in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, reported still having access to the Jeune Afrique website, others mentioned experiencing difficulties in connecting to it.

This decision to suspend Jeune Afrique distribution in Burkina Faso comes nearly a year after Captain Ibrahim Traore assumed power in a coup and amid growing anti-French sentiments in the region.

Earlier this month, Burkina Faso decided to expel the French embassy’s military attaché Emmanuel Pasquier for subversive activities.

A source said Pasquier and other employees of France’s military mission in Ouagadougou were given two weeks to leave the nation, adding that the mission would be closed.