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 America (VOA), from broadcasting in the country for three months. What could have sparked such a drastic measure? The answer lies in a radio show that aired on September 19.
The program, broadcast by VOA and replayed on Burkina Faso’s private radio station, Ouaga FM, was part of the Washington Forum series. One of the speakers, Bagassi Koura, made controversial comments that the Burkinabe government found deeply unsettling. He spoke about a recent terrorist attack in Bamako, Mali’s capital, referring to it as “brave,” a description that angered many. On top of that, Koura criticized the security response to the Barsalogho attack in Burkina Faso, suggesting that no adequate measures had been taken to protect the people.
This broadcast not only upset the government but also raised concerns about its potential impact on the morale of the Burkinabe and Malian armed forces. In a region already struggling with frequent attacks by militant groups, keeping up the spirits of the soldiers is crucial.
What added fuel to the fire was the way the program presented the Barsalogho attack. The number of victims was discussed, but according to Burkina Faso’s national news agency (AIB), no credible sources were given to back up these numbers. This led the High Council to believe that VOA was spreading unverified information, potentially misleading the public and undermining trust.
As a result, the decision was made to pull Voice of America off the airwaves for three months. The ban was also extended to prevent any local media from syncing their broadcasts with international outlets until further notice.
This incident highlights the delicate balance between free press and national security, especially in countries facing the daily threat of terrorism. It raises important questions: Should media have the freedom to report on sensitive issues, even if it risks demoralizing soldiers and citizens? Or is it necessary for governments to intervene when they feel that such reports could cause harm?
Burkina Faso’s decision has sparked discussions both within the country and abroad, as people watch to see how this media crackdown might affect the region’s ongoing fight against terrorism.
Recently, there have been serious terrorist attacks in Mali, including one at a gendarmerie school in the capital and another at Bamako Airport. In response to these incidents, prosecutors from the Alliance of Sahel States—made up of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—have launched an investigation against Wassim Nasr, a journalist from the French TV channel France 24. They accuse him of making comments that support terrorists.
