On August 23, a terrorist group called Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin attacked the town of Barsalogho, located in Sanmatenga province, central Burkina Faso. This horrific event left up to 200 people dead and many others injured. The community was shaken, and the aftermath led to a series of serious actions by the government.

Shortly after the attack, a separate but connected event unfolded. Burkina Faso’s High Council of Communications decided to ban the popular news outlet, Voice of...