CSC sanctions BF1 Television and its Journalist Luc Pagbelguem: A Reminder from the Media Regulator

The Higher Council for Communication (CSC) imposed sanctions on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, against the private television station BF1 and its journalist Luc Pagbelguem following the broadcast of a report deemed damaging to the image of the Burkinabe authorities and state media. The regulatory body criticized this report, broadcast on March 22, for having relayed comments described as "insulting, defamatory, and malicious" against the government, Radiodiffusion Télévision du Burkina Faso (RTB), and the Burkina Information Agency (AIB).

The broadcast of this report on BF1, followed by its publication on the channel's Facebook page, quickly sparked strong reactions. The subject concerned the extraordinary congress of the Association of Journalists of Burkina Faso (AJB), during which the professional organization had sharply criticized the state media's treatment of information, calling them "propagandists" serving the current regime.

This statement, relayed unfiltered by journalist Luc Pagbelguem, caused an outcry within institutional and media circles. In an official statement dated March 26, 2025, the CSC considered that certain passages of the report undermined the credibility and impartiality of public media, while contributing to the disinformation of public opinion.

The regulatory body stressed that these allegations were "unfounded" and, therefore, contrary to the principles of ethics and social responsibility incumbent on media professionals, particularly during this period marked by major security and political challenges.

CSC hearing and sanctions

Given the seriousness of the alleged facts, the Higher Council for Communication summoned the managers of BF1 on March 25, 2025, to obtain clarification on the editorial motivations and circumstances that led to the dissemination of these statements deemed prejudicial.

Following this hearing, the CSC made public a series of disciplinary sanctions aimed at punishing the breaches observed:

A fine of 500,000 FCFA imposed on BF1 for failure to comply with its obligation to provide balanced and rigorous information processing;

A two-week suspension imposed on journalist Luc Pagbelguem, preventing him from carrying out any audiovisual activity during this period.

With this decision, the regulator intends to remind the Burkinabe media of their responsibility in a context marked by strong political and security sensitivity.