Paper short abstract:

Online discussion forums have, for some years now, constituted new forms of expression in Burkina Faso. They raise questions as to the nature and vocation of professional journalism, but also as to the importance attached to freedom of expression in the country’s political sphere.

Paper long abstract:

User contributions on news websites have already been the subject of much research in Europe and North America. Drawing on a field survey conducted in Burkina Faso, this article aims to examine online discussion forums which, for some years now, have constituted the favoured means of expression of internet users in Burkina Faso. These participatory forums have stimulated the audience's interest in this small West African country, one of the poorest in the world, where significant material, editorial and political constraints weigh down on the practice of professional journalism. Besides influencing the practice of professional reporters, the forums have also attracted the attention of the authorities, as can be seen from the regular reprimands issued by the communications regulatory authority in charge of monitoring media contents. On several occasions, online debates have even influenced the political decision-making process, and this within a highly sensitive social and security context. This article attempts to show in what way these new forms of expression and the contents they convey raise questions as to the nature and vocation of professional journalism in Burkina Faso, but also as to the importance attached to freedom of expression and how it is treated in the country's political sphere.