Mali's junta bans the media from reporting on political activities in a deepening crackdown

Mali junta bans media from reporting on political activities amid growing unrest and insurgency, sparking international concern.

In a deepening crackdown, Mali’s ruling junta on April 11 banned the media from reporting on activities of political parties and associations, a day after suspending all political activities in the country until further notice.

The order, issued by Mali's high authority for communication, was distributed on social media. The notice said it applied to all forms of the media, including television, radio, online and print newspapers.

Mali has experienced two coups since 2020, leading to a wave of political instability that has swept across West and Central Africa in recent years. Along with its political troubles, the country is also in the grip of a worsening insurgency by militants linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

The scope of the ban — or how it would be applied in practice — was not immediately clear. It was also not known if journalists would still be allowed to report on issues such as the economy, which are closely tied to politics and who would monitor their work.

The umbrella organization that represents journalists in Mali responded with an unusually stern rebuttal.

The group, known as Maison de le Press, or Press House, said it rejected the order and called on journalists to continue to report on politics in Mali. It also urged them to “stand tall, remain unified and mobilize to defend the right of citizens to have access to information.”

Mali’s National Commission for Human Rights also expressed regret and profound concern over the decision in a statement published late on April 11. It warned the junta the decision could prove harmful.