Committee to Protect Journalists - Niger

CPJ, African groups call for press freedom commitment

2010-07-08T15:20:47Z

Your Excellencies: As you gather in Paris for festivities that celebrate your nations’ 50 years of independence, we, the undersigned African press freedom advocates petition for your public commitment to a free, vibrant, and self-sustaining press as a cornerstone of the development of francophone Africa in the next five decades.

Attacks on the Press 2009: Niger

2010-02-16T05:23:00Z

Top Developments
• Tandja tightens grip on power, media through constitutional changes.
• Journalists reporting on corruption face government reprisals.

Key Statistic
3: Years beyond his elected term that Tandja can serve, according to a constitutional change.

In an audacious bid to maintain power, President Mamadou Tandja pushed through constitutional amendments repealing presidential term limits and tightening his control of the state media regulatory agency. Facing heavy criticism in the run-up to an August referendum on the constitutional changes, the Tandja administration silenced dissent by imprisoning critics, intimidating news media, and issuing an emergency decree dissolving both the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court. Official results showed that the amendments passed with 92 percent approval, but opposition politicians and their supporters had boycotted the vote, which they called a mockery of the constitution.

Nigerien editor charged with criminal libel

2009-09-24T19:43:35Z

New York, September 24, 2009—A newspaper editor in police custody in Niger since Sunday was charged with criminal libel on Wednesday in connection with a story accusing a top official of involvement in a corruption scandal, according to local journalists and news reports.

Ailing editor taken to remote prison in Niger

2009-09-02T20:20:14Z

New York, September 2, 2009--The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the health of imprisoned editor Abdoulaye Tiémogo after his transfer from a hospital in Niger's capital, Niamey, to a prison in a remote town on Monday.

Niger editor sentenced to prison

2009-08-19T20:47:25Z

New York, August 19, 2009--The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a prison sentence given on Tuesday to the editor of a private newspaper in Niger. Abdoulaye Tiémogo, editor of the weekly Le Canard Déchaîné, has been in police custody in the capital, Niamey, since August 1.

In Niger, two journalists detained ahead of referendum

2009-08-03T20:50:52Z

New York, August 3, 2009--Two Nigerien editors whose weekly newspapers reported on corruption charges involving the national human rights commission have been in police custody since Saturday, according to local journalists and news reports.

Niger ramps up censorship

2009-07-10T20:08:05Z

Dear Mr. President: We are writing to express our alarm at your administration's increasing restrictions on the Nigerien private press. We are concerned by the ongoing censorship of stories about the public opposition to your plans for a constitutional amendment that would scrap presidential term limits.

Attacks on the Press in 2008: Niger

2009-02-10T05:20:00Z

With a simmering insurgency in the north, a split within the ruling government, and talk of a constitutional amendment to allow President Mamadou Tandja to run for a third term in 2009, authorities increasingly tightened restrictions on the press. The high-profile imprisonment of Moussa Kaka, a reporter well known for his coverage of the insurgency, illustrated tensions between the government and the press.

In Niger, editor jailed over corruption story

2009-01-27T21:26:09Z

New York, January 27, 2009--The editor of an independent newspaper in the West African nation of Niger was jailed Monday in connection with an investigative story alleging corruption in the finance ministry, according to local journalists.

Two journalists given three months in prison

2008-11-18T22:26:00Z

New York, November 18, 2008--Two Nigerien journalists were sentenced to prison today on criminal libel charges over editorials critically scrutinizing the director of the country's electricity supplier, according to local journalists.

CPJ welcomes release of Moussa Kaka

2008-10-08T20:27:31Z

New York, October 7, 2008--The Committee to Protect Jounalists welcomes today's provisional release of veteran Nigerien journalist Moussa Kaka after more than a year behind bars on anti-state charges.

An appeals court in the capital, Niamey, ordered Kaka's release on bail pending trial by a magistrate court on amended charges of "undermining national territorial integrity through conspiracy with Tuareg rebels," defense lawyer Boureïma Fodi told CPJ. The charges, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, represent a lesser offense than the previous accusation of "complicity in undermining the authority of the state," which carries a life sentence, according to Fodi.

Niger broadcaster suspended; violations unspecified

2008-08-21T01:35:21Z

New York, August 20, 2008—Authorities in Niger summarily suspended a private broadcaster for a month citing unspecified regulatory violations, according to local journalists and news reports. The station has provided sympathetic coverage of the country’s former prime minister, now jailed on corruption charges, according to several sources.

In a ruling obtained by CPJ, the state-run High Council on Communications found Dounia Television and Radio in “noncompliance with regulatory terms and conditions,” but provided no further explanation. Dounia Deputy Director-General Ali Idrissa disputed the vague allegation, saying the station did not receive notice about any such issue prior to the ruling. Today, Council President Daouda Diallo declined to comment to CPJ, saying he was in a meeting. “The suspension of Dounia Television and Radio on unsubstantiated grounds is part of a pattern of a government censorhip of media outlets, whether local or foreign, for critical coverage,” said Robert Mahoney, CPJ’s deputy director. “We call on the government to lift this suspension immediately and allow the station to broadcast freely.”

Government ban on RFI lifted after 3 months

2008-06-12T16:00:00Z

NIGER:

June 12, 2008
Posted July 24, 2008

Original alert: March 13, 2008Radio France Internationale
CENSORED

French broadcaster Radio France Internationale resumed FM broadcasts in Niger following a three-month suspension imposed by Niger authorities in March, according to news reports.

CPJ Impact

2008-06-01T06:00:19Z

June 2008
News from the Committee to Protect Journalists

Niger renews suspension of RFI

2008-03-13T16:00:00Z

New York, March 13, 2008—Niger’s official media regulator summarily suspended on Wednesday the FM broadcasts of France-based Radio France Internationale (RFI) for three months. Authorities accused RFI of discrediting the government in connection with a day-long series of programs on Monday about the detention of RFI correspondent Moussa Kaka.