Reports state that the military junta in Burkina Faso has suspended the French magazine Jeune Afrique due to allegations of publishing articles containing false information about tension and unrest within the country’s armed forces.
This suspension of Jeune Afrique is the latest action taken against French media since the West African nation came under military rule last year.
The newspaper was accused of attempting to undermine the armed services and spreading chaos throughout the country through the publication of two articles within the last four days, which were allegedly filled with misinformation.
The relationship between Burkina Faso and France, its former colonizer, has deteriorated due to the growing insecurity caused by a jihadist insurgency.
This has resulted in two military takeovers and the expulsion of diplomatic officials, including the French ambassador. The tensions have also caused a backlash against foreign media, with Radio France Internationale and France24, both French-funded media outlets, being suspended for giving voice to Islamist terrorists who are leading an uprising in the Sahel region.
In addition, La Chaine Info, a private broadcaster owned by TF1, was suspended for three months in June for airing an insurgency report that was deemed to be lacking in objectivity.