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 broadcasting of the French news channel LCI for two months, accusing it of reporting false information about the Malian army and its ally Russia.

Mali suspends French news channel LCI for 2 months. (Source: AP)

According to an announcement from Mali's media regulator, LCI has been banned from broadcasting in the country since August 23. The reason given was an LCI program titled "Wagner Destroyed in Mali: Hand of Kiev".

Bamako said the programme contained "demeaning comments, asserting unfounded and false accusations of extortion from the Malian armed forces and their Russian partners".

The move comes amid diplomatic tensions between Mali and Ukraine. On August 4, Bamako severed diplomatic ties with Kiev, accusing the Eastern European country of supporting rebel groups - a claim Ukraine has denied.

Since the coup (May 2021), the Malian military government has increased its control over foreign media. Previously, French media channels such as RFI, France 24 and France 2 were also permanently suspended.

This trend is also seen in neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso and Niger, where military leaders took power in coups. Burkina Faso suspended LCI in June 2023 for allegedly reporting false 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