In a controversial move, Togo has decided to suspend the broadcasts of two prominent French state-owned media outlets, Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France 24, for a duration of three months. The West African nation’s High Authority for Audiovisual Communication announced the suspension on Monday, citing the networks’ failure to maintain impartiality in their reporting.
According to the government’s statement, RFI and France 24 have repeatedly demonstrated lapses in impartiality, rigor, and fact-checking, which have been previously addressed with formal warnings. The agency highlighted that several recent broadcasts from these networks contained inaccurate and biased information that contradicted confirmed facts. This, it claimed, undermined the stability of Togo’s republican institutions and tarnished the country’s image. The statement emphasized that while press freedom is valued, it should not equate to the spread of misinformation or foreign interference.
The specific content of the broadcasts that led to this decision was not disclosed by the authorities. This action against foreign media outlets coincides with a period of mounting pressure on President Faure Gnassingbé, who faces accusations from critics regarding recent constitutional amendments potentially allowing him to extend his hold on power indefinitely. Opponents have labeled these changes as a constitutional coup.
Fabrice Petchez, the head of the Togolese Media Observatory, expressed his understanding of the ruling but also voiced concerns over its implications. “We do not support the decision,” he remarked, expressing hope for a swift resolution that would enable the reinstatement of these media operations within Togo. Petchez acknowledged rising tensions in the country, particularly from early June, exacerbated by social media debates. He urged for dialogue between the concerned media outlets and the governmental authorities.
Plans are underway for protests next week, following a crackdown on demonstrations earlier this month. Despite being a rare sight in Togo, protests have gained momentum, especially since the government imposed a ban on public gatherings in 2022. This ban was implemented in response to a tragic incident at the main market in Lomé. The recent governmental changes have attracted widespread criticism amid fears that the region is increasingly vulnerable to coups and other threats to democratic governance.