Mali's state television ORTM has gone off air after hundreds of protesters demanding the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita occupied the building, according to Reuters witnesses.
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A rally in the capital Bamako descended into chaos as protesters tried to occupy buildings including the national assembly, the state broadcasting house and two major bridges while police fired tear gas to disperse them.
Leaders of the protest had called on supporters to occupy buildings including the prime minister's office and other locations at the start of a civil disobedience campaign aimed at forcing Keita to resign for failing to tackle Mali's security and economic problems.
A journalist inside the ORTM building told Reuters by telephone that she was preparing her newscast when protesters stormed the building and that people were asked to barricade themselves in their offices.
A few kilometres away, other protesters pelted the national assembly with rocks, shattering its glass facade.
Gunshots could also be heard in the vicinity of both the national assembly and the ORTM building, a Reuters witness said.
The protest, the third since June, came after a coalition that opposes Keita rejected concessions he had offered aimed at resolving a months-long political stand-off that began after a disputed legislative election in March.
Thousands of protesters had earlier filled the city's Independence Square, chanting and waving banners that said: "Enough is Enough" and "IBK, clear off", referring to the president.
Australian Associated Press