Ouagadougou: The Burkinabe government has emphasized the crucial role of the media in aiding “the survival of the nation” amidst the ongoing security crisis. On Monday, during a meeting with media leaders, Minister of Communications Pingdwend© Gilbert Ou©draogo clarified that the government does not intend to censor the media but seeks their support in using their “formidable weapons” to contribute positively to the nation’s security efforts.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister Ou©draogo stressed that in the current profound security crisis, the government cannot act in isolation and requires the support of the entire nation, with the press playing a key part. He highlighted that information and communication are vital tools in times of crisis and should be employed to serve national interests.
“We are not asking you to suppress the truth. We are calling on you to be responsible. We are not seeking to censor, but to coordinate. We do not want to dominate information, but to restore its meaning in the service of national survival,” stated Ou©draogo during the meeting held on May 5, 2025, in Ouagadougou. He emphasized the impact of information, noting that responsible communication can save lives and boost confidence, while misinformation can have detrimental effects.
The minister called for solidarity and commitment, urging the press to strengthen dialogue with authorities for better dissemination of reliable information and to raise public awareness about the security implications of spreading sensitive data. He encouraged media to produce content that supports humanitarian efforts and highlights the resilience and courage of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and local volunteers (VDP).
Media leaders expressed their readiness to cooperate, hoping for improvements in their working conditions. Cyriaque Par©, co-founder of the online media LeFaso.net, praised the initiative, expressing satisfaction with the meeting and confidence in the commitments made by the minister.
