14 August 2012 Last updated at 06:03 ET

Burkina Faso profile

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media
• Timeline

Radio is the country's most popular medium. Dozens of private and community radio stations and a handful of private TV channels operate alongside their state-run counterparts. There are many private publications.

Africa's Oscars

• Ouagadougou has hosted biannual FESPACO film festival since 1969
• Reputedly continent's biggest regular cultural event
• Showcases African film and filmmakers

• Delights of Africa's chaotic film festival

The BBC is available on 99.2 FM in Ouagadougou. Voice of America and Radio France Internationale are also on the air in the capital.

The Ministry of Communication and Culture regulates the media. Despite practising self-censorship many media outlets, particularly private ones, are often critical of the government.

Some journalists are reported to have been threatened or arrested. Inquiries into the 1998 killing of the well-known and respected newspaper journalist Norbert Zongo have yet to bring to book those responsible.

Reporters Without Borders says the written press is "relatively free" and criticism is tolerated.

There were more than 230,000 internet users by December 2011 (Internetworldstats.com).

Press

• Sidwaya - official daily
• L'Observateur Paalga - private
• Le Pays - private, daily

Television

• Television Nationale du Burkina - state-run
• Canal 3 - private

Radio

• Radio Burkina - state-run, runs national network and regional services, as well as entertainment station Canal Arc-en-Ciel
• Radio Pulsar - private
• Radio Salankoloto - private
• Horizon FM - private
• Radio La Voix du Paysan - private

News agencies

• Agence d'Information du Burkina - official agency