TransparencyAbuse of power & retaliation

Mali's media regulator suspended a popular call-in radio show for two months, saying callers used it to 'vent against the government'

Confidence: Confirmed · 2 sourcesMali · Oct 12, 2026

Subject of this story

High Authority for Communication (Haute Autorité de la Communication, HAC)

Also named

Affected

Radio Kledu

Advocate

Human Rights Watch

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières)

What happened

In June 2026 Mali's High Authority for Communication (HAC) ordered a two-month suspension of 'Allo Kledu', a popular phone-in program on private station Radio Kledu, saying it had become a platform for listeners to vent against the government, including accusations that authorities profit from the armed conflict. The HAC characterized the comments as defamation under Mali's July 2000 press law. Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders place the suspension within a pattern since the 2020 coup, including bans on RFI and France 24 since March 2022, a six-month suspension of Joliba TV News in 2024, and three-month suspensions of Radio Aadar Koima, Radio Aadar Koukia and Radio Kayira in 2025.

Sources (2)

Human Rights WatchMali's Junta Suspends Popular Radio Show — HAC ordered a two-month suspension of Allô Klédu, stating callers used it to vent against the government.

Reporters Without BordersCorroborates the pattern of broadcast suspensions in Mali, including matching station names and durations.

Response

High Authority for Communication (Haute Autorité de la Communication, HAC)

On-record admission

Contacted and made an on-record admission — exact wording not on record.

What happened next (0)

No outcome recorded yet.

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