After cutting off diplomatic relations with Ukraine, Mali banned the broadcasting of French news channel, is the reason related to Russia?

On August 24, Mali suspended the broadcast of the French news channel LCI for two months, accusing it of spreading misinformation about the Malian military and its ally Russia.

Mali has suspended broadcasting the French news channel LCI for two months. (Source: AP)

According to an announcement from Mali's media regulatory authority, LCI has been banned from broadcasting in the country since August 23rd. The reason given is an LCI program titled "Wagner Devastated in Mali: The Hand of Kyiv".

Bamako stated that the program contained "derogatory comments, reinforcing baseless and false accusations of demanding money from the Malian armed forces and their Russian partners."

This move comes amid diplomatic tensions between Mali and Ukraine. On August 4, Bamako severed diplomatic ties with Kyiv, accusing the Eastern European nation of supporting rebel groups – an accusation Ukraine has denied.

Since the coup (May 2021), the Malian military government has intensified its control over foreign media. Prior to this, French media outlets such as RFI, France 24 , and France 2 were also permanently suspended.

This trend is also evident in neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso and Niger, where military leaders seized power after coups. Burkina Faso suspended LCI in June 2023, accusing it of disseminating inaccurate information about the security situation related to jihadist violence.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/sau-cat-dut-quan-he-ngoai-giao-voi-ukraine-mali-cam-phat-song-kenh-tin-tuc-cua-phap-ly-do-lien-quan-nga-283823.html