Guinea-Bissau: Authorities Suspend Three Portuguese Media Outlets, Expel Journalists

Authorities in Guinea-Bissau have suspended the operations of Agência Lusa, RTP África, and RDP África, three major Portuguese-language media outlets, and ordered their representatives to leave the country by August 19, 2025. The measure, announced on August 15, 2025, took immediate effect and came without official explanation.

The decision provoked strong reactions both from national and international stakeholders. Information Directors of the affected outlets condemned the suspension, calling it “an attack on the fundamental principles of journalism” that “violates democracy and the rule of law.”

Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly denounced the move as “highly reprehensible and unjustifiable.” The Ministry summoned Guinea-Bissau’s ambassador in Lisbon to demand explanations and called for the immediate reversal of the measure.

Press freedom groups in Guinea-Bissau also raised concerns. The Sindicato dos Jornalistas e Técnicos da Comunicação Social (SINJOTECS) described the decision as “arbitrary, disproportionate and politically motivated,” warning that it undermines journalism and the country’s international image.

The Guinean League for Human Rights (LGDH) echoed the condemnation, stressing that the decision deprives citizens of their right to plural and independent information.