Guinea: France 24 Banned After Use of the Term “Coup President” for Mamadi Doumbouya
France 24 broadcasts have been banned in Guinea with immediate effect. The decision was taken by the High Authority for Communication (HAC) after a presenter referred to Mamadi Doumbouya as a “coup president” on air.
For the Guinean authorities, this wording undermined the dignity of the head of state. They considered that the channel had not acted quickly enough on the measures requested in a formal notice, despite a correction and apology issued later.
Why did Guinea ban France 24?
The case concerns a segment broadcast on September 14, 2026, during which Mamadi Doumbouya was described as a “coup president.”
Mamadi Doumbouya came to power in Guinea following the September 5, 2021 coup that overthrew President Alpha Condé. However, according to the reported information, he was subsequently elected President of the Republic in the presidential election of December 28, 2025.
The Guinean authorities therefore considered that continuing to use the term “coup president” to refer to the incumbent president no longer reflected his institutional status resulting from that election. The HAC described this designation as an attack on the dignity of the head of state.
The formal notice from the High Authority for Communication
Following the segment in question, the HAC sent France 24 a formal notice. The authority instructed the channel to immediately stop using the disputed terms and to issue a correction across all of its editorial platforms.
This request concerned both broadcasts and digital platforms. The authorities specifically expected the removal or correction of the online clip in which the Guinean president was described as a “coup president.”
According to the timeline provided, the segment was broadcast on September 14. The HAC then intervened on September 16 and 17. At the time of the ban, the authorities considered that the disputed clip remained available and that the requirements of the formal notice had not been sufficiently met.
A ban covering all means of distribution
The HAC imposed an immediate ban on France 24 throughout Guinea. The measure applies to the various ways of accessing the channel, including satellite, cable, the internet, apps and social media.
The decision also includes the withdrawal of accreditations for France 24 correspondents, special envoys and staff present in Guinea. The authorities therefore opted for a comprehensive measure covering both the distribution of the channel’s programmes and its journalistic activities in the country.
The authorities’ position is based on the view that the channel had several days to correct the disputed remarks after receiving the formal notice. They concluded that the measures taken had not adequately addressed their initial request.
France 24 acknowledges an error and apologises
France 24 subsequently issued a correction. The channel acknowledged that it had mistakenly described Mamadi Doumbouya as a “coup president.” It noted that he had come to power through the September 2021 coup, while clarifying that he had since been elected President of the Republic in the December 2025 presidential election.
The channel apologised on air and online. Its director, Vanessa Burggraf, also sent a letter to President Mamadi Doumbouya to offer an official apology, clarify that the wording was unintentional and request a review of the sanctions.
However, these steps did not result in the ban being lifted. The Guinean authorities considered that the correction and apologies had come too late, after a formal notice which, in their view, had not been fully implemented.
A decision within a regional context
The Guinean case is not presented as an isolated precedent on the continent. France 24 had already faced restrictions or bans in several African countries.
In Mali, the channel was banned at the end of 2022 amid accusations of bias. In Burkina Faso, the authorities also challenged France 24’s coverage of the national situation, which they considered biased.
In Togo, a suspension imposed in June 2025 was justified by accusations of a lack of impartiality and the dissemination of information deemed inaccurate or biased. According to the available information, that suspension had not yet been lifted.
In Guinea, the decision is specifically based on the vocabulary used in reference to President Mamadi Doumbouya and on the HAC’s assessment of France 24’s response to its formal notice.
FAQ
Is France 24 banned throughout Guinea?
Yes. The announced decision provides for a broadcasting ban throughout Guinean territory, covering satellite, cable, the internet, apps and social media.
Which term led to the sanction?
The sanction is linked to the use of the term “coup president” to describe Mamadi Doumbouya. The authorities considered that the expression undermined the dignity of the head of state.
Did France 24 apologise?
Yes. France 24 published a correction, apologised on air and online, and its director wrote to the Guinean president. Nevertheless, the authorities maintained the ban, considering those actions too late.
