France 24 French state-owned international news television network based in Paris. (Source: Wikipedia)

By  Gary  Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

France “deplores” a move by Mali’s military junta to  suspend broadcasts by French international news outlets RFI and France 24.  Mali announced it would  ban the French foreign news broadcasts after it accused them of  making false allegations that the army killed dozens of civilians in the west African nation. 

“France deplores the Malian authorities’ announcement that they are initiating a process to suspend broadcasting by RF1 and France 24, and the restrictions that are being imposed on all Malian media outlets. These measures constitute serious attacks on press freedom.”

-Statement  by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mar.  17, 2022. 

Human Rights Watch released a report on Tuesday in which it said “the Malian army and armed Islamist groups have allegedly killed at least 107 civilians in central and southwestern Mali since December 2021.” HRW said the “victims, most allegedly summarily executed”,  include traders, village chiefs, religious leaders, and children.  The allegations were then reported in news reports by RFI and France 24 this week, angering the Malian government. 

France said it reaffirms its “unwavering, steadfast commitment to the freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and protection of journalists and all those whose speech contributes to the free flow of information, media pluralism and public debate worldwide.”   France also said it expressed its  concern over “serious allegations of abuses committed in the center of the country, which have been independently documented and cannot be disregarded.”