The Togolese authorities, here the HAAC, warned, this Tuesday, May 7, the French media Radio France Internationale (RFI) that it risked being suspended if it continued to broadcast “erroneous information regarding the situation in Togo”in a letter of formal notice addressed to its general director.
This warning comes in a context of political tensions in Togo, after the adoption of a new Constitution, intended according to the opposition to keep President Faure Gnassingbé in power, and the holding of legislative and regional elections largely won by the party in power at the end of April.
In the letter consulted by AFP, the Togolese High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) criticizes RFI for ignoring its calls for neutrality in its coverage in Togo.
The HACC points “repeated inaccuracies” from RFI, which would be “detrimental to the image of Togo” and to “Fundamentals of Journalism”.
If the violations continue, the HAAC “will take appropriate measures” towards RFI, which can go as far as interrupting its “right to broadcast on the national territory until further notice”, indicates the mail.
Requested by AFP, RFI management did not respond immediately.
On April 15, the HAAC had already criticized RFI for the temporary suspension of all accreditations for the foreign press, a few days before the legislative and regional elections.
She justified this decision by “serious failings noted in the coverage of political news on Togo by RFI and France 24 in recent times”and by “problems linked to special envoy Thomas Dietrich (…) in the context of issuing accreditations”.
French journalist Thomas Dietrich, known for his criticism of the government, was expelled in mid-April shortly after entering Togo.
Political tensions have increased in Togo since parliament adopted a new constitution, shifting the country from presidential to parliamentary rule at the end of April.
Under this reform, power resides in the hands of the President of the Council of Ministers, who will be the leader of the majority party in the Assembly.
This position must therefore go to Faure Gnassingbé, who became president of Togo in 2005, after succeeding his father Eyadéma Gnassingbé.
© With AFP
Find most of the news on our Tiktok account.
