Burkina Faso / The media outlet “Citoyen Neutre”: Vigilance in the face of certain divisive communication strategies
For several months now, a media outlet called “Citoyen Neutre,” based in Côte d’Ivoire, has been multiplying publications claiming to support the Burkinabe authorities under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré. However, upon analyzing its various media outputs, many questions arise about its true intentions.
Under the guise of an alleged patriotic commitment, this media outlet seems to have made the inner circle of the President of Faso its main target.
Advisors, members of the MPSR, close collaborators, and even the family circle of the Head of State almost no one around the power structure escapes its repetitive publications, which are often geared toward controversy and the like.
Such an approach cannot be considered trivial in a context where Burkina Faso faces significant security and political challenges.
This strategy resembles more a project of internal destabilization than a genuine patriotic effort of support.
Having observed the failure of certain disinformation campaigns directly targeting Burkinabe institutions, some media outlets now appear to have chosen a new method: sowing discord around the presidential circle, pitting collaborators against one another, and gradually planting doubt in the minds of the population.
The danger of such a strategy lies in its attempt to infiltrate public opinion under the mask of patriotism and neutrality.
By presenting itself as a media outlet “close to the people” or a defender of sovereignty, this so-called “Citoyen Neutre” tries to win the trust of Burkinabe people while publishing content designed to fuel internal divisions.
More seriously still, some publications give the impression of a systematic desire to tarnish the image of influential figures around Captain Ibrahim Traoré, through accusations, insinuations, or biased analyses that contribute more to confusion than to national unity.
The Burkinabe people must also exercise discernment and avoid falling into the trap of discourses that, under a patriotic appearance, might actually serve interests contrary to the stability of the country and the success of the Revolution.
However, when a media outlet seems to devote most of its energy to weakening the entourage of the Head of State rather than supporting national mobilization efforts, it becomes necessary to seriously question its underlying motives.
Maurice K.ZONGO
