Haitian authorities shut down a popular radio show for allegedly promoting gangs | LATEST NEWS

PORT-AU-PRINCE – Haiti’s regulatory body, the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL), has ordered the suspension of Radio Mega FM’s daily political talk show “Boukante Lapawòl” (Exchange of Words) after its host, journalist Guerrier Henry, repeatedly gave time on air to gang leaders from Viv Ansanm’s coalition. The decision was made in the face of increased violence across the country, he said nearly 5,000 people have been killed and over 700,000 people displaced this year.

On November 20 letter addressed to the owner and CEO of Miami-based Radio Mega, Alex Saint-Surin, CONATEL condemned the program for promoting gang propaganda and flagrant violations of Haitian law.

“For several days now, the 103.7 MHz frequency allocated to you by the state has been used for the purposes of mass dissemination of propaganda favoring armed groups that are spreading terror in the capital,” wrote the agency’s director general, Joses Jean-Baptiste.

“Notorious leaders have profited greatly from airtime by spreading messages of hatred and terror against society.”

Telecommunications regulators have criticized Radio Mega for providing large amounts of airtime to gang leaders such as Jeff “Gwo Lwa” Larose of Canaan and Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier of Delmas 6, who are wanted by Haitian authorities and sanctioned by the United Nations for “acts terrorism” in Haiti.

Referring to art. 130 and 135 of the 1977 Act telecommunications decree– said the council Suspension of Boukante Lapawòl’s performance with immediate effect. Jean-Baptiste warned that failure to comply could result in the station losing its 103.7 MHz license and facing criminal sanctions.

According to the institution, the current practice of the program violates Art. Articles 51 and 52 of the Implementing Regulation, which grants the Haitian State a monopoly on telecommunications services.

Moving to social media against CONATEL

After the suspension, host Henry moved the program exclusively to Facebook and broadcast on popular websites Tripotay Lakay (Home gossip). During the Nov. 22 broadcast, Henry defended his decision to interview gang leaders, arguing that it provided a platform for victims to question perpetrators of violence.

“No law prohibits giving a microphone to gang leaders. If anything, it holds them accountable,” Henry said, quote Article 19 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of speech. He claimed that there was no law prohibiting him from talking to armed gangs.

A Haitian journalist rejected claims that his show promoted gangs, instead accusing members of the Provisional Presidential Council (CPT) of orchestrating the show’s suspension to silence him.

“Contrary to what is sometimes claimed about foreign journalists, we have no links with gang groups in the country,” he said. “We don’t promote gangs. On the contrary, interviewing them stops their uncontrolled propaganda on platforms like TikTok, where they have over 15,000 followers who listen to them religiously.”

Allowing gangs to use radio broadcasts in Haiti to spread their messages or discuss their criminal activities is not a new phenomenon. From the term of office of former President Michel Joseph Martelly (2012–2016), through the term of office of Jovenel Moïse – who was assassinated while in office in July 2021 – until the continuation of the current government led by the CPT, members gangs frequently appeared on some radio stations in the capital and broadcasts on social media platforms, especially Facebook and TikTok.

A spectacle that sparked outrage amid divided reactions and the expansion of gang influence

Suspension occurs controversial episode from November 21where Henry interviewed Barbecue gang leader Chérizier for the second time in a month. During the broadcast, Chérizier accused TPC councilor Louis Gérald Gilles of involvement in the murder of activist Dickson Oreste, who Barbecue said was sent by Gilles to negotiate peace with the gangs. The Haitian Times was unable to verify these allegations, and attempts to record CPT Gilles’ comments went unanswered.

In the same broadcast, Chérizier dismissed public concern about the violence, warning that trucks would soon be needed to collect bodies across the country. While acknowledging the platform provided by Radio Mega’s Boukante Lapawòl, Chérizier stated that it carried risks for Henry himself.

The suspension caused mixed reactions. Some see it as a necessary step in the fight against terrorism, while others see it as a violation of freedom of speech.

“This action is at least a step toward combating terrorism,” said sociologist James Beltis, former chairman of the National Transition Council under the Montana Agreement. “A terrorist who, after burning 60% of the capital, claims that he will not spare women or children, we cannot joke about that.”

Director Richard Sénécal took a more cautious tone. “Freedom is not recklessness. It is never good when the state starts to infringe on freedom, especially in a society as fragile as ours,” Sénécal said.

“But when we don’t self-monitor or engage in self-criticism and self-correction, what other options do we have?” – the cameraman wondered.

Boukante Lapawòl’s suspension comes as gang leaders increasingly use social media to expand their reach. Platforms like TikTok They have become a place for live broadcasts in which gang members make threats, organize attacks and interact with influential people.

Gang violence has escalated in Haiti, with widespread attacks displacing hundreds of thousands of people and destroying homes in impoverished areas. They demanded the resignation of the Transitional Presidential Council, as they did in the case of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, and called for dialogue with the gangs.

During their appearance on Mega FM Radio, the gang leaders repeated that their main targets were the police and the army, accusing them of protecting oligarchs, politicians and corrupt journalists whom they allegedly intended to eliminate.

The government of Haiti and international observers, including the United Nations, have called for urgent action to address the crisis. However, with many officials facing accusations of complicity or passivity, the suspension of Radio Mega’s Boukante Lapawòl raises questions about balancing national security and freedom of speech.

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