Thirty media outlets and press freedom groups on Wednesday called for Mali and Burkina Faso’s ruling juntas to safeguard journalists in the face of mounting threats. They also cited the suspension of French international media including France 24 and Radio France Internationale (RFI), and the expulsion of correspondents from the French newspapers Liberation and Le Monde. The signatories included Burkinabe media outlets, Malian television station Joliba, France 24, Liberation, Le Monde and RFI, as well as journalists’ associations and rights organisations. The two countries on Wednesday fell further down the World Press Freedom Index, compiled by the watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The letter urged the Malian and Burkinabe authorities to “put a stop to all measures that undermine press freedom” and “guarantee the protection” of media workers.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 04, 2023 02:46 UTC