Mali Country Profile – Information
from Mali Media Profile by BBC
The media environment in Bamako and the rest of the south is relatively open, but the presence of armed militant groups in the north poses dangers for media workers, says Freedom House.
Reporters Without Borders says there is a significant degree of media pluralism, but a lack of money means that outlets are susceptible to editorial influence from those who fund them.
Radio is the leading medium. There are hundreds of stations, operated by private and community broadcasters and by the state-run Office de Radiodiffusion-Television du Mali (ORTM).
The TV sector is much smaller.
Almost all daily and weekly newspapers publish from Bamako. Circulation figures are low. L’Essor is the leading title.
The BBC broadcasts in Bamako (88.9 FM) and Radio France Internationale (RFI) is widely available on FM.
By mid-2019, 12.5 million Malians were online – around 63% of the population (InternetWorldStats.com).
Social media use is concentrated in the cities and among young people. Facebook is the top platform, followed by Instagram.
The authorities have sometimes restricted access to social media to obstruct attempts to mobilise protesters, and blocked internet access in 2018 ahead of a presidential run-off vote.
Press
- L’Essor – state-owned daily
- Le Republican – private daily
- L’Independent – private daily
- Les Echos – private daily
- Le Combat – private daily
Television
- Office de la Radiodiffusion Television du Mali (ORTM) – public, operates ORTM TV and TM2, programmes in French and local languages
- Africable TV – privately-owned pan-African TV, based in Bamako
Radio
- Office de Radiodiffusion Television du Mali (ORTM) – public network of national and regional stations
- Mikado FM – operated by UN’s MINUSMA mission
- Radio Bamakan – community station, Bamako
- Radio Liberte – private, Bamako
- Radio Kledu – private, Bamako
- Radio Kayira – private, Bamako
- Radio Rurale – network of community stations
These products are the results of academic research and intended for general information and awareness only. They include the best information publicly available at the time of publication. Routine efforts are made to update the materials; however, readers are encouraged to check the specific mission sites at https://minusma.unmissions.org/en or https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusma.
Index
Executive Summary / Current Political and Security Dynamics / Recent Situation Updates
Country Profile of Mali
Government/Politics / Geography / Military / Economy / Social / Information / Infrastructure
United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)
Senior Leaders of Mission / Mandate / Strength / Deployment of Forces / Casualties / Mission’s Military and Police Activities / Security Council Reporting and mandate cycles / Background of Conflict / Actors of Conflict / Timeline