The Malian government has suspended Joliba TV News, a private broadcaster, for six months following its controversial criticism of Burkina Faso’s military-led government. The channel’s suspension came after Mali’s High Communication Authority revoked its license in response to complaints from Burkina Faso’s media regulator.
The controversy began after Issa Kaou N’Djim, a Malian political figure, criticized Burkina Faso’s junta during a program aired on Joliba TV. Burkina Faso’s media authority pressured its Malian counterpart to take action, leading to the station’s closure in November.
Joliba TV has since halted operations, although negotiations with Malian authorities to resume broadcasting are ongoing. The suspension has drawn criticism, with media freedom advocates noting it is part of a broader crackdown by Mali’s ruling junta, which came to power through coups in 2020 and 2021.
Meanwhile, N’Djim, once a supporter of Mali’s coup leader General Assimi Goita, was arrested on November 13 in Bamako. He faces charges of “publicly offending a foreign head of state” and is set to stand trial on December 23.
In an attempt to ease tensions, a coalition of Malian media organizations issued an apology to Burkina Faso’s authorities for the remarks made on Joliba TV.
This development occurs amid mounting political and security challenges in both Mali and Burkina Faso. The two nations, along with Niger, recently formed the Alliance of Sahel States to address shared regional issues.
