The ax fell for RFI and France 24 in Mali: the broadcasting of the two French audiovisual media, already cut off since mid-March, was definitively suspended on April 27, a sign of an escalation of tensions between Paris and Bamako. France Médias Monde (FMM), parent company of RFI and France 24, reacted in a press release, contesting “with force such a measure” and promising to use “all other possible remedies”. The group received notification of this decision from the High Communication Authority of Mali the same day.
“We will continue to cover news in Mali which is of interest to all of Africa and the rest of the world. All technical solutions will be implemented to make our media accessible to Malians who wish to continue to receive free information, expert and open to the world.”
France Media World (FMM)In a press release
The station and the chain had already been cut since March 17 “on the FM network for RFI and by the operators who distribute television on site for France 24”the group told AFP.
France Médias Monde vigorously contests the final decision to suspend @RFI and @FRANCE 24 to #Mali and will pursue all possible remedies pic.twitter.com/QWQLIcj8TI
– France Media World (@France_MM) April 27, 2022
On the other hand, RFI remained “accessible by ‘short waves’, a technical means widely used in Africa, particularly by populations far from large cities”just like France 24 “by direct satellite reception”, according to the group. Social networks also remained accessible and the two media “will benefit, as in Russia, in partnership with RSF, from mirror websites, via addresses that cannot be cut by the Malian authorities”.
#Mali The authorities permanently suspend the broadcast of #RFI and of #France 24. ►The High Authority for Communication calls into question the coverage of Malian news by our two media, which RFI and France 24 strongly contest. Point @LCorreau #RFImatin pic.twitter.com/jzjapf5eMr
— RFI Africa (@RFIAfrica) April 28, 2022
The junta had ordered the suspension of the two media in mid-March after the publication by RFI and France 24 of information according to which the Malian army was involved in abuses against civilians. A decision then qualified as “severe” by Emanuel Macron. The Malian government immediately announced that it would engage “a procedure (…) to suspend broadcasting until further notice” of the two French public media. Since then, France Médias Monde defends itself and wants to initiate a “defamation action in France and Mali, following the publication” of a press release (…) “in which the Malian government compares the alleged actions of RFI and France 24 to the infamous practices and role of radio Mille collines“.
“These accusations, which refer to the radio having encouraged the genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994, in addition to being totally unfounded, are extremely serious and shocking, undermining the integrity of RFI and France 24 as well as the safety of teams.”
France Media World (FMM)In a press release
The definitive suspension of RFI and France 24 comes as the Malian junta accused, on Tuesday April 26, the French army of“spying” and of “subversion” after the broadcast by the French general staff of videos shot by a drone near a base in central Mali recently returned by France.
Against the backdrop of the diplomatic crisis with Bamako, Paris announced in February the withdrawal of its soldiers deployed in Mali, an operation to be completed this summer.