The military authorities in Burkina Faso are tightening their grip on what people can see, hear, and know.

On May 5, Burkina Faso’s media regulator ordered the suspension of French broadcaster TV5Monde, accusing it of “disinformation” and “apology of terrorism” in its reporting on Islamist armed groups in Burkina Faso and neighboring Mali. The action is the latest targeting the channel that was previously suspended twice in 2024 and remains off the air in Mali following similar allegations.

Reaching millions across more than 200 countries, TV5Monde is one of the most widely watched international channels on the continent.…