Burkina Faso's High Council for Communication (CSC) has announced its intention to better regulate social media.
"The new vision of the CSC's board of advisors is to achieve ambitious media regulation by strengthening its material, technical, and human capacities, as well as its methods for regulating social media," Ouédraogo said after a meeting with Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyélem de Tambèla.
The authorities in Burkina Faso consider that control of social media is necessary to limit misinformation and manipulation of public opinion.
However, this decision raises concerns as it may lead to restrictions on freedom of expression on these platforms, which have until now been considered spaces for free exchange.
Finding the right balance between combating disinformation and preserving fundamental freedoms is a challenge that all countries must face. Burkina Faso has chosen to tackle the problem head-on. Only time will tell which way the balance will tip.