Burkina Faso’s Porn Website Ban, Bush Meats’ Safety, Other Claims Debunked This Week!

Burkina Faso’s Porn Website Ban, Bush Meats’ Safety, Other Claims Debunked This Week!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan (Editor‑in‑Chief) | Sele Media Africa Journalist

Ouagadougou — The government of Burkina Faso, led by President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has announced measures it says are aimed at removing adult content from all media platforms across the country. Officials described the decision as part of a strategy to encourage young people to focus on productive activities that “shape their futures,” instead of spending time on sexually explicit content.

According to the government’s statement, access to all p@rnographic websites and adult content has been restricted on internet service platforms throughout the entire Burkina Faso territory, with the goal of promoting cultural values and national development.

President Traoré said the initiative is designed to build a “better country for every Burkina Faso citizen,” particularly youth whom the government believes are most vulnerable to distraction and wasted time spent on inappropriate digital content.

However, independent fact‑checking organisations and media observers note that claims about a total nationwide ban on all pornographic websites have circulated online without confirmation from official government releases or credible news outlets.

In May 2025, fact‑checkers examined widely shared social media posts claiming the Burkinabe government had banned access to all pornographic websites. Their findings noted that while authorities had taken steps to regulate broadcast media and protect younger viewers from explicit content, there was no verified evidence of a formal internet‑wide ban on adult sites.

Broader Media Regulatory Context

Burkina Faso’s media regulator, the Superior Council of Communication (CSC), has in recent years taken actions to limit access to certain international news outlets for political and security reasons. For example, the CSC in April 2024 suspended broadcasts and access to the websites of BBC Africa and Voice of America (VOA) — citing alleged disinformation about the Burkinabe army — and ordered internet service providers to block their digital platforms within the country.

These moves are widely seen by media freedom advocates as part of a broader trend of information control and censorship in Burkina Faso, especially under the current military‑led government, which came to power in 2022 following a coup d’état.

Citations:

1. Dubawa fact‑check on Burkina Faso porn ban claims:
   https://dubawa.org/round-up-burkina-fasos-porn-website-ban-bush-meats-safety-other-claims-debunked-this-week/
2. Burkina Faso suspends BBC Africa and VOA access:
   https://cpj.org/2024/04/burkina-fasos-media-regulator-suspends-bbc-africa-and-voice-of-america/
3. Burkina Faso suspends TV5 Monde and others
   https://www.voaafrique.com/a/après-voa-et-bbc-le-burkina-faso-suspend-tv5-monde-et-des-sites-d-information/7589052.html

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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