Mali suspends TV5 Monde for 3 months after biased report

Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 13-09-2024

The High Authority for Communication (HAC) criticized the channel for its coverage of drone strikes in Tinzaouatene, where at least 15 civilians were killed.

Mali’s military government has suspended the French-language channel TV5 Monde for three months, citing a lack of “balance” in its reporting, according to a statement from the media regulator on Wednesday.

The High Authority for Communication (HAC) criticized the channel for its coverage of drone strikes in Tinzaouatene, where at least 15 civilians were killed, accusing TV5 Monde of not including the Malian army’s account of the events.

The report in question aired on August 25 as part of the channel’s Africa program, which is popular in Mali.

“TV5 Monde regrets this situation, and in particular the fact that it was not approached by the HAC and was unable to provide any explanations regarding the facts of which it is accused,” it said in a statement.

TV5 Monde responded by stating that the Malian army had not provided its version of events at the time the report on the drone strikes was broadcast.

The channel added that it had made direct requests to the Malian army for comment but had not received a response before airing the report.

“However, the Malian army’s version was given by TV5 Monde in a news item dated August 26,” the channel said.

Repeated bias

Since assuming control, Mali’s military government has suspended prominent French media outlets, including France 24 and Radio France Internationale (RFI).

In early 2024, the junta also suspended France 2, followed by news channel LCI at the end of August.

Several foreign correspondents have been forced to leave the country, go into exile, or halt their work.

Domestically, the military leaders have adopted an increasingly harsh stance against political opposition, which they suspect have ties with the West.

The West African nation has been under military rule since consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021.

Distancing itself from its former colonial power, France, the junta has shifted its political and military alliances towards Russia.