The government of Burkina Faso has officially condemned Canal+ for declining to broadcast the national television channel free of charge. The decision, announced in Ouagadougou, marks a fresh escalation in tensions between the state and the French pay-TV operator.
Authorities argue that Canal+’s refusal violates agreements requiring the inclusion of public-service channels in basic packages. In a statement, the Ministry of Communication stressed that access to national media is a fundamental right for all citizens.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the transitional president, has previously emphasised the importance of national sovereignty in media. This move is seen as part of a broader push to regulate foreign broadcasters operating in the Sahel region.
Legal proceedings are expected to begin in the coming weeks. Canal+ has yet to issue a formal response, but observers anticipate a protracted dispute that could set a precedent for other countries in francophone Africa.
