Mali’s media regulator has suspended two French television channels, LCI and TF1, over what authorities describe as content that jeopardizes public order. The announcement was issued by the High Authority for Communication (HAC), which accused the outlets of violating ethical and professional standards.
According to officials in Bamako, the decision follows repeated broadcasts that the regulator believes were not only misleading but potentially harmful to national stability. However, specific details of the alleged breaches were not disclosed in the initial statement.
The suspension takes immediate effect and will remain in place until further notice, marking another escalation in the strained relationship between Mali’s transitional authorities and French media organizations. Similar restrictions in recent years have targeted French broadcasters accused of misrepresenting the security situation.
The HAC emphasized that the measure aims to protect responsible journalism and safeguard Mali’s information space. Media rights groups, however, are expected to raise concerns about press freedom as the situation unfolds.
