Guinea: France 24 issued a formal notice for referring to Mamadi Doumbouya as a "coup plotter"

RFI and France 24! These two French media outlets are now inextricably linked to the controversies surrounding their coverage of African news. Whether within the African Economic and Monetary Community (AES) or beyond, their image is now deeply tarnished.

Banned from broadcasting in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, it is Guinea that is taking the initiative to rein in the channel France 24.

The High Authority for Communication has just issued a formal notice to the person in charge for referring to the President of the Republic, Mamadi Doumbouya, as a "coup plotter".

The decision, signed on September 16 by its president, Boubacar Yacine Diallo, criticizes the French television channel for using an "inappropriate term" to refer to a democratically elected president.

“France 24 knowingly chose to ignore the legitimacy derived from the ballot box by using this term,” the institution lamented. For the regulatory authority, this practice constitutes a breach of journalistic professional standards.

Following its review, the HAC ordered France 24 to cease using the terms it deemed problematic. The HAC also requested that France 24's management make "the necessary editorial corrections across all its digital channels."

The regulatory authority also warns that in the event of non-compliance with this formal notice or a repeat offense, additional measures could be taken.

Cheick Omar Ouedraogo