Mali’s ruling junta has suspended the French-language television channel TV5 Monde for three months, accusing it of a lack of balance in its reporting, the country’s media regulator, the High Authority for Communication (HAC), announced in a statement on Wednesday.
The HAC criticised the channel for its coverage of a drone strike in the northern town of Tinzaouatene that resulted in the deaths of at least 15 civilians. The regulator claimed the report, aired on August 25 during the channel’s Africa programme, failed to include the Malian army’s version of events.
In response, TV5 Monde expressed regret over the suspension and noted that it was not given an opportunity by the HAC to provide explanations or address the accusations.
The channel also clarified that the Malian army had not issued its account of the drone strikes at the time of the broadcast, despite direct requests from the station. However, TV5 Monde stated it had included the military’s version in a subsequent news item aired on August 26.
Mali has been governed by military leaders since successive coups in 2020 and 2021. The junta, distancing itself from its former colonial power, France, has turned towards Russia for political and military support.
Since taking control, the junta has suspended several prominent French media outlets, including France 24 and Radio France Internationale (RFI), which are widely followed in the country. France 2 was suspended in early 2024, followed by LCI in late August.
Foreign journalists have faced increasing pressure under the junta, with many being forced into exile, leaving the country, or halting their work.
In response to the TV5 Monde suspension, media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the decision, saying it “illustrates the banning of international media” in Mali.
TV5 Monde, which promotes French culture and creativity, is jointly owned by public broadcasters from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and Quebec.