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Cote d’Ivoire ALERT: RFI suspended indefinitely |
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February 7, 2008
Radio France International (RFI), on January 31, 2008 again had its permission to broadcast on FM suspended by Cote d’Ivoire’s National Council for Broadcast Communication (CNCA).
Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that the Ivorian regulatory body this time accused the management of the French public broadcaster of failing to honour its obligation to the CNCA.
The CNCA suspended RFI's broadcasts on July 15, 2005, claiming that its coverage of Ivorian events was "unprofessional and unbalanced." RFI resumed broadcast on May 12, 2006, following an agreement it had with the regulatory body.
As part of the agreement, the management of RFI was to have hired a local correspondent, pay a fine of 9 million FCFA (over 20,000 US$) and "adhere to ethical criteria and professional conduct in its news coverage in Côte d'Ivoire.", which according MFWA sources the radio station failed to meet.
RFI's office in Abidjan has been closed ever since its correspondent, Jean Hélène, was shot and killed by a policeman in October 2003.
MFWA urges the CNCA to lift the ban on RFI since the indefinite suspension is denying Ivoirians the opportunity to hear alternative broadcasts as required in a pluralistic media environment.
Prof. Kwame Karikari
Executive Director
MFWA
Tel: 233 21 242470
Fax: 233 21 221084
Email :
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Website : www.mediafound.org
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