In Mali, Joliba TV stops broadcasting from this Tuesday, November 25. But neither the channel nor the Malian professional press organizations intend to stop there. This afternoon, a delegation from the Mali Press House went to the Malian High Authority for Communication (HAC).
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The delegation from the Maison de la Presse included around ten people, representing all the journalists’ organizations in the Mali. Facing them, the nine members of the college of the High Authority of Communication (HAC)
“ We told them their decision was disproportionate, extreme, put jobs at risk and violated press freedom “, explains a participant, who says to himself “ confident » : « They expressed good intentions and promised a diligent response, we hang on their decision. Now we want everyone to put the ball down. »
Rebroadcast of the show
A speech of appeasement which does not prevent the Maison de la presse from threatening: the umbrella organization warned on Saturday November 23 that if it was not heard, an appeal would be launched to all Malian media to rebroadcast the show behind the closure of Joliba TV. This is a sign of solidarity and protest.
There HAC has decided to close the Joliba TV channelat the request of Burkina Faso. Two weeks ago, during a debate show, a guest judged that the latest case of a supposed coup d’état foiled by the Burkinabe authorities was not credible. Issa Kaou N’Djim was imprisoned immediately – on November 13 – he will be tried in February for “ public offense committed against a foreign head of state “.
The private Malian channel received notification of the withdrawal of its license on Thursday November 21 and immediately initiated an appeal procedure. Will this approach by the channel and the mediation of the Maison de la presse du Mali make it possible to save Joliba TV?
Asked by RFI, the president of the HAC Gaoussou Coulibaly recalls that RFI has already been cut off in Mali – for more than two and a half years – and therefore did not wish to respond. At this point, Joliba TV’s signal is still expected to be cut this Tuesday.
Also readJoliba-Kaou N’Djim affair: “An abuse by the Malian and Burkinabe authorities”, according to Amnesty
“ Standardize thinking in the Alliance of Sahel States »
“ They will one day report to the peopleangrily predicted a manager of Joliba TV. It’s a political decision, they want to standardize thinking in the Alliance of States of Sahel, continues this source, we prefer to lose our license than to be a sounding board. » An anger which is obviously not free from bitterness: “ If Joliba falls, all Malian media are threatened. It is the survival of the profession that is at stake. »
“ We will not be silent “, “ prepare for the awakening of the people “, “ long live freedom, long live Joliba! », reacted openly several Malian journalists.
Political condemnations are also numerous. Almost all Malian parties, gathered within the “ Declaration of March 31 » for the return to constitutional order, thus asks the authorities to “ reconsider » a measure « which harms ” has ” freedom of expression, freedom of the press » and who « tarnishes the image of the country. »
The space for individual and civil freedoms has continued to be restricted in Mali since the military coup of August 2020. Numerous reports from the United Nations and human rights organizations (Ammnesty, FIDH, Human Rights Wahtch) or the profession (Reporters Without Borders).
Also readThe central Sahel, “one of the biggest information black holes”