APA – Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) – Following in the footsteps of the French media, RFI and France24, the transitional government today suspended programs on the private radio station Omega.
Radio Omega FM has been suspended “until further notice, (…) in the name of the best interests of the nation,” after broadcasting an “interview peppered with insulting remarks about the new authorities in Niger,” the government reported.
The media gave an interview to Ousmane Abdoul Moumouni, presented as the spokesman for a movement recently created to “restore democracy” in Niger.
“This is the kind of person that Radio Omega has chosen to give a voice to, in order to publicize the vision and nefarious plans of an organization that has nothing to envy the terrorist movements that are roaming the Sahel,” the press release reads.
The transitional authorities said they “accept full responsibility for this decision,” believing that the fight against terrorism must also be won in the field of communication.
In early December 2022 and March 2023, the government suspended RFI and France24, after expelling correspondents from the French dailies Liberation and Le Monde.
“The government intends to remain firm against any form of glorification of violence against people fighting for their dignity, freedom and sovereignty,” executive spokesman Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo said.
However, he reaffirmed his commitment to freedom of opinion and of the press, in strict compliance with the rules of ethics and professional
conduct.
SD/ac/fss/abj/APA