Media in Burkina Faso
Encyclopedia
The media in Burkina Faso
consists of print media and state-supported radio, news, and television stations, along with several private broadcasters with programs consisting of sports, music, cultural, or religious themes.
However, there are serious exceptions to this freedom. Critics have noted that these freedoms are in some degree circumscribed by self-censorship, as the government is sensitive to criticism. A revised Information Code, implemented in 1993, allows for news outlets to be arbitrarily banned if "accused of endangering national security or distributing false news." The Conseil Supérieur de la Communication (CSC), the government's Supreme Council on Information, is charged with media oversight. Additionally, non-legal constraints on critics of the government exist.
The mission statement of state-owned Radiodiffusion-Télévision du Burkina (RTB) declares that its broadcast networks are 'adapted' to the requirements of law and democratic pluralism. It emphasizes that journalists using public mediums are obliged to 'respect the principles of ethics' with regards to 'objectivity and balance' in the treatment of information.
was murdered by unknown assailants, and his body burned. Since his death, the tragedy has been used by unidentified persons leaving 'warnings' to journalists and broadcast commentators critical of alleged government injustice and/or corruption.
In August 2002, police in Burkina Faso arrested Newton Ahmed Barry, editor-in-chief of the private monthly L'Evénement. Barry was held for two days before being released without charge.
Mathieu N’do, managing editor of the opposition weekly San Finna, was detained by authorities on November 5, 2004 as he was returning from Ivory Coast. His detention may have been linked to his journalistic work, which is often critical of the Burkina Faso government. In particular, N’do has been an outspoken critic of government policy in Ivory Coast where Burkina Faso has been accused of arming the rebellion. N'do was held incommunicado by Burkina Faso’s national security service in Ouagadougou until being released without charge on November 11.http://www.cpj.org/cases04/africa_cases04/burkina.html
Since the death of Norbert Zongo, several protests regarding the Zongo investigation and treatment of journalists have been prevented or dispersed by government police and security forces. In April 2007, popular radio reggae host Karim Sama, whose programs feature songs containing societal criticism interspersed with commentary on alleged government injustice and corruption, received several death threats. Sama's personal car was later burned outside the private radio station Ouaga FM by unknown vandals.
In response, the Committee to Protect Journalists
(CPJ) wrote to the President of the Republic, Blaise Compaoré, to request his government investigate the sending of e-mailed death threats to journalists and radio commentators in Burkina Faso who were critical of the government. In December 2008, police in Ouagadougou questioned leaders of a protest march that called for a renewed investigation into the unsolved Zongo assassination. Among the marchers was Jean-Claude Meda, the president of the Association of Journalists of Burkina Faso.
and to the neighbouring countries. In 2003, there were an estimated five mainline telephones for every 1,000 people; about 12,400 people were on a waiting list for telephone service installation. The same year, there were approximately 19 mobile phones in use for every 1,000 people.
Links to Burkina Faso's print media are listed at the BurkinaOnline portal. http://www.burkinaonline.bf/
and one in Bobo-Dioulasso
, are run by Radiodiffusion Nationale, the government radio corporation. Broadcasts are in French and 13 indigenous languages, using both medium wave (AM
) and FM
frequencies. RTB also maintains a worldwide short-wave news broadcast (Radio Nationale Burkina) in the French language from the capital at Ouagadougou using a 100Kw transmitter on 4.815 and 5.030 MHz.
There are also several independent radio stations, as well as foreign radio services such as the BBC
and Radio France Internationale
(RFI 1 - Afrique) using satellite feeds. As of 2002, there were a total of 3 AM and 17 FM radio stations, including:
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso – also known by its short-form name Burkina – is a landlocked country in west Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest.Its size is with an estimated...
consists of print media and state-supported radio, news, and television stations, along with several private broadcasters with programs consisting of sports, music, cultural, or religious themes.
Government media influence and control
In Burkina Faso, the authorities have periodically announced their respect for freedom of the media; RadioDiffusion Burkina states that the country's transmission facilities are open to 'all political and social sensibilities.' Privately-owned newspapers, television, and radio stations are allowed. The Information Code of 1990 provided for freedom of speech and freedom of the press.However, there are serious exceptions to this freedom. Critics have noted that these freedoms are in some degree circumscribed by self-censorship, as the government is sensitive to criticism. A revised Information Code, implemented in 1993, allows for news outlets to be arbitrarily banned if "accused of endangering national security or distributing false news." The Conseil Supérieur de la Communication (CSC), the government's Supreme Council on Information, is charged with media oversight. Additionally, non-legal constraints on critics of the government exist.
The mission statement of state-owned Radiodiffusion-Télévision du Burkina (RTB) declares that its broadcast networks are 'adapted' to the requirements of law and democratic pluralism. It emphasizes that journalists using public mediums are obliged to 'respect the principles of ethics' with regards to 'objectivity and balance' in the treatment of information.
Acts against journalists and Government critics
In December 1998, journalist Norbert ZongoNorbert Zongo
Norbert Zongo was the publisher and editor of the Burkina Faso newspaper l'Indépendant. He was assassinated after his newspaper began investigating the murder of a driver who had worked for the brother of President Blaise Compaoré.On December 13, 1998, Zongo's burned body was found along with...
was murdered by unknown assailants, and his body burned. Since his death, the tragedy has been used by unidentified persons leaving 'warnings' to journalists and broadcast commentators critical of alleged government injustice and/or corruption.
In August 2002, police in Burkina Faso arrested Newton Ahmed Barry, editor-in-chief of the private monthly L'Evénement. Barry was held for two days before being released without charge.
Mathieu N’do, managing editor of the opposition weekly San Finna, was detained by authorities on November 5, 2004 as he was returning from Ivory Coast. His detention may have been linked to his journalistic work, which is often critical of the Burkina Faso government. In particular, N’do has been an outspoken critic of government policy in Ivory Coast where Burkina Faso has been accused of arming the rebellion. N'do was held incommunicado by Burkina Faso’s national security service in Ouagadougou until being released without charge on November 11.http://www.cpj.org/cases04/africa_cases04/burkina.html
Since the death of Norbert Zongo, several protests regarding the Zongo investigation and treatment of journalists have been prevented or dispersed by government police and security forces. In April 2007, popular radio reggae host Karim Sama, whose programs feature songs containing societal criticism interspersed with commentary on alleged government injustice and corruption, received several death threats. Sama's personal car was later burned outside the private radio station Ouaga FM by unknown vandals.
In response, the Committee to Protect Journalists
Committee to Protect Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent nonprofit organisation based in New York City that promotes press freedom and defends the rights of journalists.-History:A group of U.S...
(CPJ) wrote to the President of the Republic, Blaise Compaoré, to request his government investigate the sending of e-mailed death threats to journalists and radio commentators in Burkina Faso who were critical of the government. In December 2008, police in Ouagadougou questioned leaders of a protest march that called for a renewed investigation into the unsolved Zongo assassination. Among the marchers was Jean-Claude Meda, the president of the Association of Journalists of Burkina Faso.
Telephone
Telephone, and telegraph services are available to ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and to the neighbouring countries. In 2003, there were an estimated five mainline telephones for every 1,000 people; about 12,400 people were on a waiting list for telephone service installation. The same year, there were approximately 19 mobile phones in use for every 1,000 people.
Print media
- L'Indépendant, weekly, founded in 1993.http://www.independant.bf/
- Le Pays, daily, founded in 1991.http://www.lepays.bf/
- Le Journal du Jeudi, satirical weekly.http://www.journaldujeudi.com/
- Observateur Paalga, daily with a weekly supplement, originally founded in 1973, burnt down in 1984, reestablished in 1991.http://www.lobservateur.bf/
- San Finna, weekly appearing Mondays, since 1999. http://www.sanfinna.com/
- Sidwaya, daily.http://www.sidwaya.bf/
- L'Hebdomadaire du Burkina, weekly.
- L'Evénement, monthly.
- L'Opinion, weekly.http://www.zedcom.bf/
Links to Burkina Faso's print media are listed at the BurkinaOnline portal. http://www.burkinaonline.bf/
Television
Télévision Nationale du Burkina, the government-owned television transmitting station, was established in 1963. Transmissions are made six days a week and are received only in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. The government has been establishing public viewing centers. There is also one privately operated television station. In 2003, there were an estimated 433 radios and 12 television sets for every 1,000 people. http://www.tnb.bf/Radio
Two radio stations, one in OuagadougouOuagadougou
Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso and the administrative, communications, cultural and economic center of the nation. It is also the country's largest city, with a population of 1,475,223 . The city's name is often shortened to Ouaga. The inhabitants are called ouagalais...
and one in Bobo-Dioulasso
Bobo-Dioulasso
Bobo-Dioulasso is a city with a population of about 435,543 , the second largest city in Burkina Faso, Africa, after Ouagadougou, the nation's capital. The name means literally, "home of the Jula who speak Bobo," and is possibly a creation of the French who misunderstood the identity complexities...
, are run by Radiodiffusion Nationale, the government radio corporation. Broadcasts are in French and 13 indigenous languages, using both medium wave (AM
Amplitude modulation
Amplitude modulation is a technique used in electronic communication, most commonly for transmitting information via a radio carrier wave. AM works by varying the strength of the transmitted signal in relation to the information being sent...
) and FM
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
frequencies. RTB also maintains a worldwide short-wave news broadcast (Radio Nationale Burkina) in the French language from the capital at Ouagadougou using a 100Kw transmitter on 4.815 and 5.030 MHz.
There are also several independent radio stations, as well as foreign radio services such as the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale was created in 1975 as part of Radio France by the Government of France, and replaced the Poste Colonial , Paris Mondial , Radio Paris , RTF Radio Paris and ORTF Radio Paris...
(RFI 1 - Afrique) using satellite feeds. As of 2002, there were a total of 3 AM and 17 FM radio stations, including:
- RTBRTB- Military :*Ranger Training Brigade, U.S. Army Ranger Training Brigade runs the U.S. Army Ranger School*Red Tag Bastards, a nickname for some class years at the United States Air Force Academy...
- Ouaga FMOuaga FMOuaga FM is a radio station in Burkina Faso. It is transmitted in the French language on 105.2 FM in the capital town Ouagadougou and in Bobo-Dioulasso, the second city, on 101.1 FM....
- Horizon FMHorizon FMHorizon FM is a radio station in Burkina Faso. It is broadcast in the French language on 102.7 or 104.4 FM from the city of Bobo-Dioulasso. It is known for its late night agony uncle show.-External links:*...
- Radio SalankolotoRadio SalankolotoRadio Salankoloto is a radio station in Burkina Faso. It is broadcast on 97.3 FM from the city of Ouagadougou. It was established on November 22, 1996.It plays mostly African music from traditional to modern hip-hop....
- AM 3, FM 17, shortwave 3 (2002)
Internet
In 2003, there were 2.1 personal computers for every 1,000 people and 4 of every 1,000 people had access to the Internet. There were two secure Internet servers in the country in 2004News agencies
- Agence d'Information du Burkina (est. 1964 as L'Agence Voltaïque de Presse). Government press agency. http://www.aib.bf/