OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – On Monday, the Higher Council of Communication (CSC) in Burkina Faso conducted hearings with two media organizations and an activist who, on February 7, disseminated reports of a purported increase in hydrocarbon prices. These claims were promptly refuted by the competent authority on the same day.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the CSC’s inquiry targeted the managers of ‘L’Economiste du Faso’ newspaper, ‘Radio Oméga’, and the owner of a Twitter account. These individuals were summoned over their roles in spreading what the regulatory body has identified as false information regarding fuel price hikes.

The publication of this misinformation on February 7 led to an immediate rebuttal from the President of the interministerial committee responsible for setting hydrocarbon prices. The CSC’s proceedings aimed to understand the reasons behind the dissemination of these erroneous reports.

The inquiry was conducted by an ad hoc commission established for this purpose. The commission prepared minutes from the hearings, which will be reviewed by the College of Advisors for a final decision on the matter.