UN condemns Mali’s ban on French media

GENEVA, 01 May 2022, (TON): The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights criticised Mali’s decision to ban French media outlets and called on its military rulers to reverse their decision.

A spokesperson for High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said “we are deeply dismayed by the Malian media regulator’s decision to definitively suspend Radio France International and France24.”

“These suspensions are the latest in a string of actions curtailing press freedom and the freedom of expression in Mali, and come at a time when more, not less, scrutiny is needed.”

Mali’s military leaders first imposed the suspensions on March 16, accusing the two broadcasters of airing false allegations about reports of human rights violations by the army.

The High Authority for Communication announced those provisional suspensions would be definitive.

Journalist associations have denounced an increase in attacks and smear campaigns against reporters over the past year, in particular against representatives of French media outlets.

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