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

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haiti’s regulatory body, the National Council of Telecommunications (CONATEL), has ordered the suspension of Radio Mega FM’s daily political talk show “Boukante Lapawòl” (Exchange Words) after its host, journalist Guerrier Henry, repeatedly gave airtime to gang leaders from the Viv Ansanm coalition. The decision comes amid heightened violence across the country, which has claimed nearly 5,000 lives and displaced over 700,000 people this year.

In a Nov. 20 letter addressed to the Miami-based Radio Mega’s owner and CEO, Alex Saint-Surin, CONATEL condemned the show for promoting gang propaganda and flagrantly violating Haitian laws.

“For several days, the 103.7 MHz frequency assigned to you by the State has been used for the purposes of massive dissemination of propaganda favoring armed groups which sow terror across the Capital,” wrote the agency’s Director General Joses Jean-Baptiste. 

“Notorious leaders have benefited greatly from air time, spreading messages of hatred and terror against society.” 

The telecommunications regulators criticized Radio Mega for providing extensive airtime to gang leaders like Jeff “Gwo Lwa” Larose from Canaan and Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier from Delmas 6, who are both wanted by Haitian authorities and sanctioned by the United Nations for “acts of terrorism” in Haiti.

Invoking Articles 130 and 135 of a 1977 telecommunications decree, the council declared the Boukante Lapawòl show’s suspension effective immediately. Jean-Baptiste warned that failure to comply could result in the station losing its license for the 103.7 MHz frequency concession and facing criminal sanctions.

According to the institution, the show’s current practice violates Articles 51 and 52 of the executive order, which grants the Haitian State a monopoly on telecommunications services.

A move to social media in defiance of CONATEL

Following the suspension, host Henry relocated the show to Facebook only, broadcasting on the popular Tripotay Lakay (Home Gossips) page. During a Nov. 22 broadcast, Henry defended his decision to interview gang leaders, arguing it provides victims a platform to question the perpetrators of violence.

“There is no law against giving a microphone to gang leaders. If anything, it holds them accountable,” Henry said, citing Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression. He argued that no rule prevents him from speaking with armed gangs.

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

“We have no connection with gang groups inside the country, unlike what is sometimes claimed about foreign journalists, he said. “We don’t promote gangs. On the contrary, interviewing them stops their unchecked 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. Since the administration of former President Michel Joseph Martelly (2012-2016), through the tenure of Jovenel Moïse—who was assassinated while in office in July 2021—and continuing under the current government spearheaded by the CPT, gang members have frequently appeared on certain radio stations in the capital and broadcasts on social media platforms, notably Facebook and TikTok.

The show that sparked outrage amid divided reactions and the expansion of gangs’ influence

The suspension follows a controversial Nov. 21 episode, where Henry interviewed gang leader  “Barbecue” Chérizier for the second time in a month. During the broadcast, Chérizier accused TPC councilor Louis Gérald Gilles of involvement in the assassination of activist  Dickson Oreste, whom Barbecue claimed was sent by Gilles to negotiate peace with the gangs. The Haitian Times could not verify these allegations, and attempts to record CPT Gilles’ comments went unanswered.

In the same broadcast, Chérizier dismissed public concern over 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 claimed it carried risks for Henry himself.

The suspension has sparked mixed reactions. Some view it as a necessary step to combat terrorism, while others see it as an infringement on freedom of speech.

“This action is at least a step toward combating terrorism,” said sociologist James Beltis, former president of the National Transition Council under the Montana Agreement. “A terrorist who says he will spare neither women nor children after burning 60% of the capital, we cannot joke about this.”

Filmmaker Richard Sénécal struck a more cautious tone. “Freedom is not recklessness. It’s never good when the state starts to encroach on freedom, especially in a society as fragile as ours,” Sénécal said.

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

The suspension of Boukante Lapawòl comes as gang leaders increasingly use social media to extend their reach. Platforms like TikTok have become venues for live broadcasts where gang members issue threats, organize attacks, and interact with influencers.

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

During their appearance on Radio Mega FM, the gang leaders reiterated that their main targets were the police and the military, accusing them of protecting the oligarchs, politicians, and corrupt journalists they claimed to be aiming to eliminate. 

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

The post Haitian authorities shut down popular radio show for allegedly promoting gangs | BREAKING NEWS appeared first on The Haitian Times.

---

Haitian authorities shut down popular radio show for allegedly promoting gangs | BREAKING NEWS was first posted on November 24, 2024 at 10:39 am.