In Burkina Faso suspend the BBC and Voice of America

Burkina Faso has suspended radio stations BBC and Voice of America for covering a Human Rights Watch report on a massacre of civilians carried out by the country's armed forces.

Burkina Faso communications spokesperson Tonssira Myrian Corine Sanou said Thursday evening that the two radio stations would be suspended for two weeks, and warned other media networks to avoid reporting the story.

According to the report released Thursday by Human Rights Watch, the army killed some 223 civilians, including 56 children, in villages accused of cooperating with the militants. The report was widely covered by international media, including the Associated Press.

“VOA is maintaining its reporting on Burkina Faso and intends to continue to fully and fairly cover activities in the country,” the channel said in a news article reporting on its suspension.