Guinea’s media regulator orders Canal+ to remove Djoma TV & Radio from channel packages on security grounds

Paris-based cable network Canal+ removed Thursday December 7 the Guinean private media Djoma TV and its radio from its channel packages under instruction of the country’s State-run media regulator HAC which deems the media outlet a threat to security.

Boubacar Yacine Diallo, Head of the regulator sent an order to cable Wednesday December 6 for the suspension sine die of the media.

“For reasons of national security, I would be grateful if you would withdraw Djoma TV and Djoma Radio from the Canal+ bouquet without further notice upon receipt of this letter”, he wrote in the correspondence to the French cable network.

In a reaction, Kalil Oularé, Director of Djoma group, slammed the move and announced legal actions against Canal+, both in Guinea and France.

He also accused Canal+ of accepting to be used by authorities to muzzle media critical of a junta led by Mamady Doumbouya in power since September 2021.

The move came amid ongoing suspension of social media pages of some media including Djoma since November 24. The country’s main media union SPPG issued a statement on Monday to condemn the suspension that it considers “threat of extinction of private media”.

It also announced a set of actions including a sit-in in front of HAC and organized a peaceful demonstration and boycott activities of the transition bodies.