Gabon social media suspension
Gabon social media suspension enters second week amid concerns from political opposition
An episode of the Focus on Africa podcast, hosted by BBC World Service, titled "Gabon social media suspension" was published on February 23, 2026 and runs 22 minutes.
February 23, 2026 ·22m · Focus on Africa
Summary
For the second week, Gabon has suspended social media platforms like Whatsapp, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram - in a move it says is aimed at curbing the spread of false information and cyberbullying. What does this mean for the youth, as well as the right to access information in the country?And what does it take for an African athlete to make it to the Winter Olympics? We speak to 24-year-old skier Mialitiana Clerc, who represented Madagascar at this year's edition in Italy. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine and Basma El Atti Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla
Episode Description
For the second week, Gabon has suspended social media platforms like Whatsapp, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram - in a move it says is aimed at curbing the spread of false information and cyberbullying. What does this mean for the youth, as well as the right to access information in the country?
And what does it take for an African athlete to make it to the Winter Olympics? We speak to 24-year-old skier Mialitiana Clerc, who represented Madagascar at this year's edition in Italy.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine and Basma El Atti Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla