RFI’s FM waves have been cut across Mali since mid-Thursday. Consequence of the decision of the Malian Transitional Authorities to suspend RFI and France 24, following the sending of testimonies reporting abuses by the Malian army in the center of the country. A suspension condemned by the various journalist organizations in West Africa.
Bamako, noting that similar allegations have been reported by the UN and by the human rights organization Human Rights Watch, believes that, according to the official statement from the transitional government, it is an “attempt to destabilize the transition, to demoralize the Malian people, and to discredit the brave Fama. “, The Malian armed forces.
France Médias Monde Group, the parent company of RFI and France 24, “regrets this decision and strongly protests against the unfounded accusations and recalls its unwavering commitment to the freedom to inform and to the professional work of journalists”.
►Mali stops broadcasting by RFI and France 24
Ivorian journalist Noël Yao, chairman of the Union of Journalists of the Free African Press, for his part, called on the Malian authorities to reconsider their position, given that freedom of the press is “fundamental and sacred” and that it is “part of all democratic efforts to get this country out of the crisis’.
“It is important that the Malian authorities review their position and reconsider this decision, which is neither good for the democratic process nor for freedom of the press in Africa,” said Noël Yao. , to respond, so that the version of the authorities is known and there is a balance in the information.But the method is not to silence these two media because we do not agree with the facts reported.The free African press can not accept that the media is banned on this way.”
►How can one continue to listen to RFI and watch France 24 in Mali?
The same story on the side of Ujao, the Union of West African Journalists, where Senegalese journalist Bamba Kassé is general secretary. “Although the junta in Mali has problems with the French government, we did not think it would spread to the French media. But in this case, the junta is aimed at the French media, which it really considers to be relays. While the reality is quite different. Journalists are professionals who do not respond to orders, who do information work.
Bamba Kassé recalls that “if the junta believes that the incriminated media have not done their job properly, there are mechanisms provided by law in Mali: they can lodge a complaint.” He also emphasizes that “the same issue was addressed by the UN, by HRW, it is quite normal for the media to talk about it.” “Where is the problem?” He asks.
The junta sees this as evidence of a coordinated strategy to destabilize the transition. “When you want to kill your dog, you accuse him of anger,” the journalist replies. Perhaps these two media disturbed them in their current policy. They were looking for the little beast to get rid of.
