Authorities in Burkina Faso have banned TV5 Monde, accusing the channel of spreading disinformation in its reporting on regional jihadist violence.
The decision, announced Tuesday by the national media regulator, marks another tightening of information control under military leadership in the country.
Since Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power in a September 2022 coup, authorities have repeatedly targeted foreign media outlets.
Officials said the latest ban followed alleged breaches in journalistic standards related to coverage of attacks in both Burkina Faso and neighbouring Mali.
The High Council for Communication cited what it described as repeated violations of legal and ethical reporting norms between April and May 2026.
Council head Wendingoudi Louis Modeste Ouedraogo said the broadcasts contained disinformation and, in some instances, appeared to glorify terrorism.
The regulator ordered an immediate halt to all TV5 Monde programming across the country, effectively silencing the network’s voice within its borders.
The move adds to a growing list of restrictions, as the same channel faced temporary suspensions in April and June 2024.
Across the border, Mali’s junta has also acted against the broadcaster, suspending it last year over alleged bias in covering opposition protests.
Together, the measures reflect a broader regional pattern where military governments increasingly challenge international media narratives amid ongoing security crises.
