Latest news with #HAAC
eNCA
2 hours ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Togo suspends French broadcasters for three months
LOME - Togo suspended French broadcasters RFI and France 24 for three months, the country's media regulator said, accusing both of transmitting "inexact and tendentious" content. The temporary ban further reduces the two French public broadcasters' availability in West Africa after they were slapped with multi-year suspensions in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, a trio of Sahelian countries currently run by military juntas. "Several recent broadcasts relayed inaccurate, biased, and even factually incorrect statements, undermining the stability of republican institutions and the country's image," Togo's High Authority for Audiovisual and Communications (HAAC) said in a statement. In a joint statement, the two broadcasters declared they had "learned with surprise" of their ban which had been delivered "without warning" despite what they termed a "sustained and constructive dialogue" with the regulator. RFI and France 24 also reaffirmed their "indefatigable commitment to deontological journalistic principles, along with support for their teams who daily deliver rigorous, independent, verified, impartial and balanced news" broadcasts. In a statement which AFP has seen, HAAC cited three reports by the French broadcasters to justify its decision. The first was an interview on France 24 in which "inaccurate statements were made regarding the alleged conditions under which the artist Aamron was apprehended." The second featured "public statements by the regional correspondent of France 24 calling for mobilisation against republican institutions", while the third alluded to "biased" remarks in an RFI commentary. The suspension comes after anti-government protests shook the capital last week, Lome. Dozens of people were arrested after police dispersed protesters with tear gas on the night of June 5 to 6 in several districts, including near the presidential palace. Some journalists who covered the protests were also briefly detained and ordered by police to erase their footage. The government said it has since released more than 50 people but several remain in police custody. The protests, notably called for by popular rapper Aamron, were spurred by rising electricity prices and constitutional changes enacted by the government of President Faure Gnassingbe, who took power in 2005 upon the death of his father, who had ruled for nearly four decades. Those changes strengthened his grip over the country with the opposition saying they remove limits on his stay in office, extending his potential time as president until 2031 before likely being appointed to a new position of "president of the council of ministers" -- essentially prime minister. Gnassingbe says the reforms will strengthen national unity. Aamron -- real name Essowe Tchalla -- was arrested on May 26 but then appeared in a video 10 days later in which he apologised to the president and said he was in a psychiatric hospital suffering from "severe depression". Togolese opposition parties and civil society groups last Thursday demanded Gnassingbe step down. The National Alliance for Change (ANC), Democratic Forces for the Republic (FDR) and civil society groups urged citizens to engage in civil disobedience from June 23 to thwart the "illegitimate" regime. Protests have been banned in Togo since 2022, though public meetings are still allowed. There have been fresh calls this week for further protests on June 26, 27 and 28.
Business Insider
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
Two French-linked media platforms, RFI and France 24, suspended in Togo amid protests
Two French-linked media platforms, RFI and France 24, have been suspended in Togo for three months over allegations of broadcasting " inaccurate and biased" content that threatens the country's stability. RFI and France 24 have been suspended for three months in Togo due to allegations of broadcasting biased content. Togo's media regulator cited concerns about the stability of national institutions and the country's image as reasons for the suspension. This move reflects growing tensions between African governments and French-linked media platforms. Togo's media regulator on Monday announced the suspension of two major French broadcasters, Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France 24 for a period of three months, accusing them of spreading ' inaccurate ' and ' tendentious' content that undermines national stability. According to a statement released by the nation's High Authority of Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC), the government cited ' several recent broadcasts ' by the two outlets that allegedly relayed biased and factually incorrect information. HAAC noted that the coverage in question threatened ' the stability of republican institutions and the country's image,' prompting authorities to take what they described as a protective measure in the interest of national cohesion. Though the HAAC did not single out specific programs or reports, the move follows growing tensions between the Togolese government and foreign media, particularly around sensitive issues such as constitutional reforms, political unrest, and alleged human rights abuses. Critics argue that the suspension is part of a broader clampdown on dissenting voices and press freedom in the country. The French media group France Médias Monde, which oversees both RFI and France 24, has not yet issued an official response. However, both outlets are widely followed across Francophone Africa and are often relied upon for independent coverage, particularly in countries where domestic press operates under tight restrictions. The suspension follows youth-led protests in Lomé on June 5 and 6, sparked by arrests of activists, rising electricity costs, and recent constitutional changes. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds near the presidential palace, with dozens arrested, though the government says over 50 have been released. The demonstrations, led by rapper Aamron, were aimed at President Faure Gnassingbé, who has been in power since 2005 Deepening rift between France and its former colonies This suspension places Togo among a growing list of African countries, such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, that have distanced themselves from France. In recent years, this shift has been accompanied by bans or restrictions on French media outlets, often accused of pushing narratives seen as critical of ruling governments, whether military or civilian. The wave of suspensions reflects not just media concerns, but also a deepening diplomatic rift between former French colonies and Paris, as African governments increasingly assert control over their domestic information space.
Zawya
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Benin: Wave of attacks on press freedom highlights urgent need to reform Digital Code
The Benin authorities' recent wave of sanctions against independent media outlets highlights the urgent need to protect press freedom in the country, said Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Internet Without Borders. The call comes as Benin's parliament debates revisions to the Digital Code – legislation critical to the protection of a free press and freedom of expression. Since the beginning of the year, the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communications (Haute Autorité de l'Audiovisuel et de la Communication – HAAC) has suspended two newspapers, three news websites and a TikTok news account 'until further notice.' These suspensions are still in force. 'In recent months, Benin's authorities have been silencing media outlets, often after they carried coverage critical of the government or the HAAC. The Digital Code contains provisions that allow the attacks on freedom of expression seen in recent months. Its revision is an opportunity to reverse this worrying trend and further protect press freedom,' said Dieudonné Dagbéto, Executive Director of Amnesty International Benin. Series of media suspensions On 12 March, the news website Bénin Web TV was suspended and the press card of its managing director withdrawn. The HAAC accused the media outlet of publishing two articles containing inaccurate information, one concerning alleged errors in the budget request submitted by the HAAC to Parliament, the other concerning the request for a company car by the institution's president. On 21 January, the newspaper Le Patriote and its website were similarly sanctioned after the publication of an editorial pointing out 'the government's ineffective strategy' during an attack on a military position in the border zone between Burkina Faso and Niger. Le Patriote's editor told Amnesty International: 'My newspaper was one of the few that gave a voice to all sides. I'm sure that, given the current context, the media will no longer take the risk of dealing with information on the security situation other than that which comes from the government or the authorities in charge of security.' 'None of the legitimate grounds for restriction of the freedom of expression set out in international law are invoked in these cases of censorship. HAAC's sanctions also threaten the economic survival of the media and their employees. This is an intolerable interference with press freedom,' said Sadibou Marong, Director of Reporters Without Borders' Sub Saharan Africa bureau. A dozen journalists who have worked for Le Patriote are now unemployed, according to its managing editor. Bénin Web TV is already suffering a loss of income following the withdrawal of certain advertisers, according to a letter seen by Amnesty International. The recent wave of sanctions follows a series of similar curbs in 2023 and 2024. In February 2024, the press group La Gazette du Golfe laid off all its employees following the HAAC's suspension of the group's activities in 2023. In January 2024, news websites Crystal News, Reporter Médias Monde, Les Pharaons and the TikTok news account Madame Actu were also suspended. The HAAC justified the decision by saying that these were 'unauthorized websites' that had been 'the subject of numerous complaints' and were responsible for making 'unfounded allegations' and disseminating 'media content without prior HAAC authorization'. The communique did not specify which content was problematic. These suspensions contravene the standards established by the UN Human Rights Committee, which clearly state that blanket bans on the operation of certain sites and systems are not compatible with the right to freedom of expression, nor is the granting of licences by the state to authorize the work of journalists as provided by Beninese law. Qemal Affagnon, Regional Coordinator for West Africa at Internet Without Borders, said: 'The HAAC relies on the current Digital Code to punish all those who commit 'criminal acts'. The examination of a bill amending this Code is an opportunity to implement the recommendations accepted by the government in 2023 during the 4th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review in line with the consultative modification work carried out with Beninese MPs by Internet Sans Frontières. It is essential to guaranteeing freedom of expression and HAAC's independence.' Background In its recommendations to Benin during the 4th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, Amnesty International mentioned revising the Digital Code. Benin accepted several recommendations aimed at ensuring the independence of the Audiovisual and Telecommunications Authority, and revising the Digital Code, particularly article 550 which unduly restricts the right to freedom of expression by providing for prison sentences for offences such as the dissemination of false information and harassment via electronic communication. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.
