Togo suspends French broadcasters RFI and France 24 over ‘biased’ coverage amid growing unrest

Togo’s media regulator has suspended French broadcasters Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France 24 for three months, accusing them of airing “inaccurate and tendentious” content deemed harmful to the country’s stability.

The decision, announced on Monday by the High Authority of Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC), comes amid rising political tensions in the country. In a statement, the authority said the two outlets had, in recent weeks, “relayed biased and factually incorrect information” that threatened “the stability of republican institutions and the country’s image.”

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While no specific reports were cited, the suspension follows a wave of youth-led protests in the capital, Lomé, on June 5 and 6, sparked by a combination of grievances, including the arrests of activists, hikes in electricity tariffs, and controversial constitutional reforms. Demonstrators, led by prominent rapper and activist Aamron, called for the resignation of President Faure Gnassingbé, who has ruled the country since 2005.

Security forces deployed tear gas to disperse the protests near the presidential palace. Dozens were arrested, although the government claims over 50 detainees have since been released.

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Authorities say the suspension of the two broadcasters is a temporary “protective measure” aimed at preserving national cohesion. But critics see it as part of a broader clampdown on dissent and a fresh blow to press freedom in a country where local media already face significant constraints.

The French media group France Médias Monde, which owns both RFI and France 24, has not yet issued a formal response. Both outlets enjoy wide reach across Francophone Africa and are often viewed as crucial sources of independent journalism in environments where domestic media is tightly controlled.

Togo now joins a growing list of West African nations—among them Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—that have banned or restricted French media outlets in recent years. This trend reflects not only increasing hostility toward foreign reporting but also a broader diplomatic realignment, as former French colonies assert greater control over their national narratives and foreign policy orientation.

The suspension highlights the deepening rupture between France and parts of its former empire, a shift accelerated by regional discontent over military cooperation, perceived neo-colonial attitudes, and governance issues.

Press freedom advocates warn that the Togolese government’s move could have a chilling effect on journalism, especially in the lead-up to upcoming political events. “Shrinking the media space at such a critical moment threatens transparency and public trust,” said one rights observer in Lomé.

Despite the official insistence that the suspension is temporary, the broader implications are unmistakable: Togo, like several of its neighbours, is recalibrating its stance on foreign influence, and the free press may be among the first casualties.