Burkina Faso suspends BBC over HRW massacre report
By Hafsa Khalil
Burkina Faso has suspended the BBC and US public broadcaster Voice of America over their coverage of a report accusing its army of mass killings.
Broadcasts have been stopped and the websites of both organisations banned for two weeks, officials said.
The report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), a US-based group, accused the Burkinabè military of massacring at least 223 civilians in February.
The military has been in power in the West African country since a 2022 coup.
It has not commented on the HRW allegations. The army director of communications said he would get back to the BBC if and when they make a statement.
In a statement on Thursday, Burkina Faso’s media regulator warned all media outlets against covering the report, threatening sanctions, state-owned media reported.
A BBC spokesperson said: “The suspension reduces the BBC’s ability to reach audiences with independent and accurate news. We will continue to report on the region in the public interest and without fear or favour.”
In an article on Friday, Voice of America (VOA) said it “stands by its reporting about Burkina Faso and intends to continue to fully and fairly cover activities in the country”.
