France 24, a French news channel, was banned from broadcasting in Guinea starting on Thursday, September 17, by the country's national media regulator. This decision came after the High Authority for Communication, the regulatory body overseeing media in Guinea, officially protested the day before. The protest was in response to a presenter on France 24 referring to Mamadi Doumbouya, the head of state, as "a coup president." The term "coup president" is significant in political contexts, as it implies that the leader came to power through a coup d'état, which is a sudden, illegal, and often violent seizure of power. In Guinea, where Doumbouya took control in a military coup in 2021, such language could be seen as sensitive or even provocative. The High Authority for Communication cited the use of this phrase as a violation of media regulations, which prohibit content deemed disrespectful or harmful to the state's image. The ban was enforced immediately, cutting off France 24's broadcasts in the country without prior warning. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between international media outlets and local authorities in Guinea, who are often sensitive about how their leadership is portrayed. While France 24 has not commented on the ban, the move underscores the challenges faced by foreign news organizations operating in regions with strict media controls.