Two French journalists detained in Togo on visa charges after filming near restricted zone
Sebastian Perez-Pezzani and Gaël Mocaër face 'false statements' allegations after arrest on 27 July
AI-assisted coverage comparison, editor-supervised · How this was made

Une rue près du port de Lomé (Togo), en février 2026. (OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP)
Photograph: franceinfo.fr (embedded from source)
What this story says
- Two French journalists, Sebastian Perez-Pezzani and Gaël Mocaër, were arrested on 27 July while filming in northern Togo for France 5’s documentary series 'Les routes de l’impossible'.
- They were initially placed under house arrest but re-arrested hours later and now face charges of 'false statements' related to their visas, according to the Togolese authorities.
- Their production company, Tony Comiti Productions, states their visas and filming permits were valid, and that the journalists unknowingly entered a restricted zone near Kara.
- The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the journalists are subject to a judicial investigation and that consular visits have taken place.
Who covered it
Percentages are shares of the 37 outlets carrying a published leaning rating. 23 of the 60 outlets we know ran this story carry no rating and are not counted in them. Coverage measured .
Trust
55/100
Craft
55/100
Hype
25/100
60 sources · methodology
Two French journalists were arrested in Togo on 27 July while filming for the France 5 documentary series 'Les routes de l’impossible'. Sebastian Perez-Pezzani and Gaël Mocaër were detained in the northern region of Kara, approximately 450 kilometres from the capital, Lomé. Their production company, Tony Comiti Productions, said the journalists were unaware they had entered a restricted zone for media.
The journalists were initially placed under house arrest after their arrest but were re-arrested hours later. They are now detained in Lomé and face charges of 'false statements' regarding their visas, as reported by multiple outlets. Their passports and raw footage were confiscated during the arrest. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on 18 August that the journalists are subject to a judicial investigation.
Tony Comiti, founder of the production company, told France Inter that the journalists’ visas and filming permits were in order. He described them as experienced professionals accustomed to difficult assignments. The company’s managing director, Patrice Lucchini, told Agence France-Presse that one of the journalists is unwell, though he did not specify the nature of the illness.
What the coverage left out
No centre-rated outlet ran this story. None of the digests or the full report from franceinfo.fr included the names of the Togolese collaborators arrested alongside the journalists. The right-rated digest from Le Figaro did not mention the restricted zone or the initial accusation of espionage, which was reported by franceinfo.fr and corroborated by the left-rated digests.
Coverage settled. We checked this 24 times and stopped on 25 Aug 2026, 12:46. The figures above are what it finished at.
How each side covered it
Our own reading of the reporting listed below, written from the outlets’ articles rather than quoted from them. The reasoning is set out on our methodology page.
Left
17 rated outlets
- Seventeen left-rated outlets carried the detention of two French journalists in Togo on 27 July 2026. The reports agree they were arrested near Kara while filming for France 5’s *Les routes de l’impossible*, held in Lomé, and charged with false visa statements. Twelve outlets name the production company, Tony Comiti Productions, and ten specify the programme’s broadcaster.
- The two full reports, from *franceinfo* and *20 Minutes*, quote the company’s founder, Tony Comiti, saying the journalists had filming permits and visas, and that they were briefly released after authorities viewed their footage. Both reports note the journalists’ passports and footage were confiscated, and that their lawyer has no access to the case file. *franceinfo* adds that the men were re-arrested two hours after their release.
- Nine digests and both full reports mention the journalists’ names: Sebastian Perez-Pezzani and Gaël Mocaër. Eight digests and *20 Minutes* state that a Togolese collaborator was also detained. *20 Minutes* alone includes Togo’s press-freedom ranking (97th of 180) and the 2025 ban on RFI and France 24. None of the digests or full reports printed below quote the journalists, their families, or Togolese officials.
Centre
16 rated outlets
- All eight centre-rated outlets reported that two French nationals were detained in Togo on 27 July 2026. They identified the pair as journalists or filmmakers working for a French production company. The French Foreign Ministry confirmed the arrests on 18 August 2026.
- The digests led on the Foreign Ministry’s confirmation and the date of detention. Seven named the detainees as directors or filmmakers; Radio France Internationale called them journalists. None specified the nature of the restricted zone or the visa charges beyond the fact of arrest.
- None of the digests mentioned the detainees’ names, the television station they worked for, or the exact location where they were filming. The state of emergency in Togo and the broadcasting bans on RFI and France 24 appeared only in TF1 INFO’s digest.
Right
4 rated outlets
- Le Figaro’s digest, the only right-rated report, led on the production company’s assurance that the journalists’ paperwork was in order. The digest quoted Patrice Lucchini, managing director of Tony Comiti Productions, stating that the journalists were 'in good order' and that one of them is sick. It did not mention the restricted zone or the accusation of espionage.
Questions about this coverage
- How did the left and right cover Two French journalists detained in Togo on visa charges after filming…?
- Of the 37 outlets on this story carrying a published leaning rating, 46% are rated left, 43% are rated centre, 11% are rated right. Those percentages are shares of the rated outlets, not of every outlet that ran it, which was 60. The sections above set out what each side emphasised, in its own terms.
- Is Two French journalists detained in Togo on visa charges after filming… left or right?
- Neither side dominates it. Of the 37 rated outlets on this story, 46% are rated left, 43% are rated centre, 11% are rated right, and no side holds the 70% this site would want before calling a field one-sided. A story is not left or right in any case; the outlets that carried it are what carry ratings.
- Is the coverage of Two French journalists detained in Togo on visa charges after filming… biased?
- Two French journalists detained in Togo on visa charges after filming near restricted zone is one event reported by 60 outlets, and this page does not rate the story as biased or unbiased. What it publishes is the spread: which outlets ran it, where named rating organisations place each of them on the spectrum, and what each side chose to lead with. A leaning rating describes an outlet's record over time, not this article, and the two should not be run together.
- Which outlets covered Two French journalists detained in Togo on visa charges after filming…?
- 60 that we know of, every one of them listed further up this page with a link to its own report and to what we hold on the publisher. Nothing here is a summary of somebody else's summary: the outlets are named so the original reporting can be read.
- Why were the two French journalists arrested in Togo?
- The journalists were arrested on 27 July while filming in northern Togo for France 5’s 'Les routes de l’impossible'. Togolese authorities charged them with 'false statements' regarding their visas. Their production company claims they unknowingly entered a restricted zone near Kara and that their permits were valid.
- What charges do the journalists face?
- The journalists face charges of 'false statements' related to their visas, according to the Togolese authorities. Their production company insists their visas and filming permits were in order. The French foreign ministry confirmed they are subject to a judicial investigation.
- Which outlets reported on the journalists’ health?
- Libération’s digest reported that the condition of Sebastian Perez-Pezzani is 'worrying', according to his family. Le Figaro’s digest, the only right-rated report, quoted the production company saying one journalist is sick, though it did not specify the illness.
- Did any centre-rated outlet cover this story?
- No centre-rated outlet ran this story. The reports were published by left-rated and right-rated outlets, as well as two unrated ones. The absence of centre-rated coverage is noted in the omissions section.
Read it at the source
63 outlets, grouped by the leaning a published rating gives them. Every headline links to the original; an underlined outlet name opens our profile of that publisher.
Left
19- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens Sentinel Colorado in a new tab)
Sentinel Colorado — is Sentinel Colorado biased? Our profile of this outlet
- RSF calls for release of French journalists detained in Togo (opens Africa News in a new tab)
Africa News — is Africa News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens The Toronto Star in a new tab)
The Toronto Star — is The Toronto Star biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens The Seattle Times in a new tab)
The Seattle Times — is The Seattle Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens ABC News in a new tab)
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens Associated Press News in a new tab)
Associated Press News — is Associated Press News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens The Independent in a new tab)
The Independent — is The Independent biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens WellandTribune.ca in a new tab)
WellandTribune.ca — is WellandTribune.ca biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 11 more
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens The Hamilton Spectator in a new tab)
The Hamilton Spectator — is The Hamilton Spectator biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Two French Directors Arrested and Detained in Togo with a Local Collaborator (opens Mediapart in a new tab)
- The Two French Detainees in Togo Charged with "False Statements" (opens Liberation in a new tab)
Liberation — is Liberation biased? Our profile of this outlet
- The Arrest of Two French Journalists in Togo, a Reflection of the ... (opens Le Monde in a new tab)
Le Monde — is Le Monde biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Two French Nationals Detained in Togo: What We Know About the Two Journalists Who Made a Production (opens La Dépêche du Midi in a new tab)
La Dépêche du Midi — is La Dépêche du Midi biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo: What Is Known About the Arrest of the Two French Journalists Detained in Lomé (opens JeuneAfrique.com in a new tab)
JeuneAfrique.com — is JeuneAfrique.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- French Detainees in Togo: the Situation of the Two Journalists Arrested "Is Blocked", Regrets the Founder of Their Production Company (opens franceinfo.fr in a new tab)
franceinfo.fr — is franceinfo.fr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Two French People Arrested and Detained in Togo Since 27 July (opens Liberation in a new tab)
Liberation
- Two French Directors Have Been Detained in Togo Since the End of July (opens Le Huffington Post in a new tab)
Le Huffington Post — is Le Huffington Post biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Two French Filmmakers Arrested and Detained in Togo (opens 20 Minutes in a new tab)
20 Minutes — is 20 Minutes biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Two French People Arrested and Detained in Togo Since 27 July, According to the Quai d'Orsay (opens Le Monde in a new tab)
Le Monde
Centre
16- Togo charges two French journalists over incorrect documents, rights group says (opens BBC News in a new tab)
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens Washington Top News in a new tab)
Washington Top News — is Washington Top News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens coasttv.com in a new tab)
coasttv.com — is coasttv.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens Ottumwa Courier in a new tab)
Ottumwa Courier — is Ottumwa Courier biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens WKMG in a new tab)
- Togo: Rights Group Calls for Release of Two French Journalists Held in Togo (opens allAfrica in a new tab)
- They Were Shooting an Episode of the Program "Les Routes De L'impossible": Who Are Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, the Two Journalists Arrested and Detained in Togo? (opens lindependant.fr in a new tab)
lindependant.fr — is lindependant.fr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens Winnipeg Free Press in a new tab)
Winnipeg Free Press — is Winnipeg Free Press biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 8 more
- Togo: Two French Journalists Arrested and Detained Since the End of July, Paris Confirms (opens Radio France Internationale in a new tab)
Radio France Internationale — is Radio France Internationale biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo: Two French, Journalists-Directors, Detained Since the End of July (opens Euronews in a new tab)
- Two French Filmmakers Have Been Arrested and Detained in Togo Since July 27, According to the French Foreign Ministry. (opens France24 in a new tab)
- Togo: Two French Arrested and Detained Since 27 July, According to the Quai d'Orsay (opens TF1 INFO in a new tab)
- Two French Nationals, "Directors" Working "for a Production Company", Detained in Togo (opens BFM TV in a new tab)
- Togo. Two French Film-Makers Detained Since the End of July in the Country (opens leprogres.fr in a new tab)
leprogres.fr — is leprogres.fr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo. Two French Film-Makers Detained Since the End of July in the Country (opens ledauphine.com in a new tab)
ledauphine.com — is ledauphine.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Two French Nationals Arrested in Togo and Detained Since the End of July, an Open Judicial Investigation (opens Sud Ouest in a new tab)
Right
5- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens plaindealerin.com in a new tab)
plaindealerin.com — is plaindealerin.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens The Messenger in a new tab)
The Messenger — is The Messenger biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens Washington Times in a new tab)
Washington Times — is Washington Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo: the Two French Directors Detained Are "in Good Order" and One of Them Is Sick, Insures Their Production Company (opens Le Figaro in a new tab)
- Togo: Two French Directors Arrested and Detained Since July 27 (opens Le Figaro in a new tab)
Le Figaro
Not rated
23- Togo charges two French journalists over incorrect documents, rights group says (opens KahawaTungu in a new tab)
KahawaTungu — is KahawaTungu biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo Arrests, Retains French Filmmakers Over Alleged Immigration Violations (opens The Heritage Times in a new tab)
The Heritage Times — is The Heritage Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- French Journalists Arrested The Bad Manners of Togo (opens off-investigation.fr in a new tab)
off-investigation.fr — is off-investigation.fr biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged immigration violations, advocacy group says (opens pmg-ky3.com in a new tab)
pmg-ky3.com — is pmg-ky3.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo: Two French Filmmakers From the Routes De L'impossible Detained for a Month (opens Stéphane Larue in a new tab)
Stéphane Larue — is Stéphane Larue biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo: What We Know About the Two French Nationals Held by the Regime (opens lejdd.fr in a new tab)
- French journalists detained in Togo RSF demands release (opens mediatalkafrica.com in a new tab)
mediatalkafrica.com — is mediatalkafrica.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Why Two French Journalists Were Arrested in Togo (opens Agi.it in a new tab)
Show 15 more
- Two French Journalists Have Been Detained in Togo Since 27 July (opens Télérama.fr in a new tab)
Télérama.fr — is Télérama.fr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Two Directors for France 5 Arrested in Togo, the Quai d'Orsay Mobilized (opens parismatch.com in a new tab)
parismatch.com — is parismatch.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- They Were Filming for the Show "Les Routes De l'Impossible": Two French Journalists Arrested and Detained in Togo Since 27 July (opens midilibre.fr in a new tab)
midilibre.fr — is midilibre.fr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Detained in Togo, Journalists Sébastien Pérez-Pezzani and Gaël Mocaër in the Heart of an Arm Between Lomé and Paris (opens L'Humanité in a new tab)
L'Humanité — is L'Humanité biased? Our profile of this outlet
- France Announced that Two of Its Citizens Were Detained in Togo. (opens Haberler in a new tab)
- Togo: Two French Directors Arrested and Detained Since July 27 (opens La Croix in a new tab)
- Two French Nationals Arrested and Detained in Togo (opens Radio France in a new tab)
Radio France — is Radio France biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo. Two French Journalists in Exchange for a Togolese (opens Mondafrique in a new tab)
Mondafrique — is Mondafrique biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo. Two French Film-Makers Detained Since the End of July in the Country (opens lalsace.fr in a new tab)
lalsace.fr — is lalsace.fr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo. Two French Film-Makers Detained Since the End of July in the Country (opens vosgesmatin.fr in a new tab)
vosgesmatin.fr — is vosgesmatin.fr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo. Two French Film-Makers Detained Since the End of July in the Country (opens republicain-lorrain.fr in a new tab)
republicain-lorrain.fr — is republicain-lorrain.fr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo. Two French Film-Makers Detained Since the End of July in the Country (opens bienpublic.com in a new tab)
bienpublic.com — is bienpublic.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo. Two French Film-Makers Detained Since the End of July in the Country (opens dna.fr in a new tab)
- Togo. Two French Film-Makers Detained Since the End of July in the Country (opens estrepublicain.fr in a new tab)
estrepublicain.fr — is estrepublicain.fr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Togo: Two French Journalists Under Arrest After Their Arrest in the North of the Country (opens tchadinfos.com in a new tab)
tchadinfos.com — is tchadinfos.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
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