Togo suspends 2 French broadcasters for 3 months over biased reporting

By Mevlut Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - The media regulatory body in the West African nation of Togo suspended the broadcasting of France 24 and Radio France Internationale (RFI) for three months for biased reporting.

The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) decision came after the previously reported “repeated failures in matters of impartiality, rigor, and fact-checking,” the authority said in a statement.

Several recent broadcasts have aired “inaccurate, biased, and even contradictory” statements, which undermine the “stability” of republican institutions and the West African country's image, the authority said.

Last year, HAAC issued a warning letter addressed to RFI, accusing the broadcaster of ignoring its warnings regarding its obligation to be neutral and fair in its coverage of Togo.

“If such actions are repeated, the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication will be forced to consider appropriate measures, including the suspension of your broadcasting rights in Togo until further notice,” HAAC warned in May 2024.