Togo Silences RFI and France 24 — A Bold Move or a Blow to Press Freedom?

June 16, 2025

Something big just happened in Togo — and it’s sparking serious conversations about media freedom in West Africa.

On June 16, Togo’s media regulator, the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC), officially suspended French broadcasters RFI and France 24 for three months. Their reason? “Biased reporting” and what they called “tendentious remarks” that could potentially harm the country’s image and destabilize public institutions.

But there’s more to this story than just a regulatory decision. Let’s dig deeper.

What’s Really Going On?

According to HAAC, the two French media giants violated journalistic ethics by reporting news that wasn’t fully verified and leaned too heavily on one side of the narrative — especially during a tense political season.

This isn’t just about bad headlines. It’s happening at a time when Togolese citizens are organizing fresh protests, speaking out against President Faure Gnassingbé’s extended stay in power — a rule that’s lasted since 2005, following his father’s decades-long leadership.

Flashback: Journalists in the Crosshairs

Just days before this suspension, a journalist from TV5 Monde was detained while filming a protest in Lomé. Security officials reportedly forced him to delete footage showing the crowd and police activity — a chilling move that added fuel to fears of rising authoritarianism.

The journalist was later released, but the message was clear: the government is watching, and it doesn’t want certain stories told.

Reactions from Around the World

Press freedom advocates aren’t staying quiet.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Togolese authorities to protect journalists, not silence them. In their words: “Reporting during unrest is essential, not optional.”

Others warn that silencing RFI and France 24 — two of the most respected French-language news outlets in Africa — could shut down vital international perspectives at a time when citizens need transparency the most.

So, What Does This Mean for Togo?

Let’s break it down:

• Press freedom is under pressure. When major media outlets are taken off air, it’s hard not to worry about censorship.
• The timing is everything. Political protests are rising — and now two critical voices are off the airwaves.
• International eyes are watching. Togo is making headlines — but maybe not the kind it hoped for.

Bottom Line: Who Controls the Story?

Whether you support the suspension or not, one thing is clear: information is power, and Togo’s government is making sure it controls the narrative. But in a world where access to news should be a right, not a privilege, this move raises serious red flags.

The real question is: Who gets to tell Africa’s story? And when governments pick and choose which voices get heard, are we still hearing the truth?

Let’s Keep Talking

What do you think about Togo’s decision to suspend RFI and France 24? Necessary regulation or a step toward media suppression?

Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇
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