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Media regulation and press oversight in West Africa

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-17 13:26 UTC → 2026-09-18 06:41 UTC · added removed

In August 2026, media regulators in Guinea and Togo implemented administrative and legal oversight measures. In Guinea, the Haute Autorité de la Communication (HAC) requested that press associations submit detailed financial reports regarding 2025 subsidies to facilitate future funding requests. subsidies. Simultaneously, Togo’s HARC addressed the arrest of two French journalists, noting they lacked the required accreditation under the Press and Communication Code. accreditation. By mid-September 2026, the regulatory environment in Guinea intensified through significant disciplinary actions against international media. intensified. The HAC revoked the journalistic accreditation of Mamadou Diawo Barry, the permanent a correspondent for Jeune Afrique, citing ‘grave violations of ethical and deontological obligations’ and obligations’. Following a lack formal notice regarding its coverage of objectivity and balance. Consequently, Barry is prohibited from collecting or disseminating information and is barred from covering official events. Additionally, President Mamadi Doumbouya, the HAC issued a formal notice to escalated its actions against France 24, demanding 24. On September 15, 2026, the cessation of terms it deemed ‘inappropriate, degrading, and regulator imposed an attack immediate and total ban on the dignity’ of Guinean institutions. channel’s broadcast and digital access across Guinea. This sanction, signed by HAC President Boubacar Yacine Diallo, covers satellite, cable, mobile applications, websites, and social media. The regulator specifically targeted HAC characterized the channel’s refusal to rectify the use of the term ‘putschist president’ as ‘insubordination’ and a descriptor used for President Mamadi Doumbouya, claiming ‘continuous offense’ against the coverage failed dignity of the Head of State. In addition to respect the legitimacy broadcast ban, the HAC revoked the press accreditations of all France 24 correspondents and collaborators in the presidency. country. The Autorité de Régulation des Postes et Télécommunications (ARPT) was tasked with blocking digital access, and distributors were ordered to cut the signal. While France 24 issued an apology acknowledging an ‘error’ in its description, the national coalition Tournons La Page (TLP-Guinée) has condemned these actions, describing them measures as a ‘serious authoritarian an ‘authoritarian drift’ and a disproportionate attack on press freedom.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-18 06:41 UTC Media regulation and press oversight in West Africa
  2. 2026-09-17 13:26 UTC Media regulation and press oversight in West Africa
  3. 2026-09-16 19:19 UTC Media regulation and press oversight in West Africa

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