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Burkina Faso coup troops beat journalists, ransack radio stations

Xinhua, September 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

Since Wednesday, the first day of a coup carried out by former presidential guards of Burkina Faso's ex-president Blaise Compaore, journalists have been prevented from carrying out their work and some media houses have been seized by soldiers.

On Wednesday night, soldiers stormed into one local radio station which was covering protests by youths heading towards the Presidential Palace where Interim President Michel Kafando, Prime Minister Yacoub Isaac Zida and ministers were being held, disrupted the broadcast and burnt some materials.

At the same time, journalists working on the ground have been beaten as they tried to cover the situation.

In a statement released Thursday night, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the African affiliate of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), warned the putschists over any intimidations and attacks against the Burkina Faso media.

It equally called for the protection of journalists and African media leaders who arrived in Ouagadougou on Wednesday to take part in the International Festival of Freedom of Expression and the Press (FILEP).

"We are concerned over the security of journalists in Burkina Faso and for the fate of ongoing reforms in the country's media sector," said Maria Luisa Rogerio, the interim FAJ president.

"We hope the ongoing FILEP will be concluded and that all journalists and media leaders who arrived in Burkina Faso will safely return to their homes," Rogerio added.

FAJ president equally asked the civilian and military authorities to allow Burkina Faso journalists to freely do their work and to guarantee the safety of all participants at the ongoing FILEP.

The presidents of Senegal and Benin are expected to arrive in Ouagadougou on Friday to mediate in the prevailing crisis. Endit