Niger reinstates prison sentences for journalists for defamation, insult
Dakar, June 20, 2024—Nigerien authorities must decriminalize defamation and ensure that the country’s cybercrime law does not unduly restrict the work of the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday. On June 7, Niger’s head of state Abdourahamane Tchiani, who overthrew the democratically elected president in July 2023, reintroduced prison sentences of one…
Journalist Idrissa Soumana Maïga detained for ‘undermining national defense’ in Niger
Dakar, May 7, 2024 — Nigerien authorities must immediately release Idrissa Soumana Maïga, editor of the privately owned newspaper L’Enquêteur, and allow him to report freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. An investigative judge at the court in Niamey, the capital, charged Maïga with “undermining national defense” and ordered his transfer to Niamey…
Nigerien journalist Samira Sabou arrested on treason allegations
Dakar, Senegal, October 12, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Nigerien authorities to drop all allegations against journalist Samira Sabou and allow her to work freely. “Authorities in Niger must swiftly drop all legal proceedings against journalist Samira Sabou, return her phone, and ensure that journalists in the country can work without fear…
Niger journalist Samira Sabou arrested by unidentified men
Dakar, October 2, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists called for the immediate release of Nigerien online journalist Samira Sabou after her arrest by unidentified men on September 30. “The Nigerien authorities must urgently identify the men who arrested journalist Samira Sabou on September 30 and ensure her immediate release and safety,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s…
CPJ joins call to protect journalists in Niger 1 month after coup
New York, August 25, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Friday joined at least 79 journalists and press organizations in calling on Niger’s military authorities to protect the rights and safety of journalists. “Journalists in Niger must be able to work safely and free of intimidation, especially as the country and region grapple with political…
Benin and Burkina Faso suspend media outlets over coverage of Niger coup
Dakar, August 15, 2023—Authorities in Benin and Burkina Faso must immediately lift their respective suspensions of La Gazette du Golfe and Radio Oméga, and allow the media to report without fear on regional politics, including the coup in Niger, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On August 8, Benin’s High Authority for Audiovisual and…
Masked men threaten to kidnap journalist Sahiana Maman Hassan in Niger
On July 28, 2023, three masked men in a pickup truck threatened to kidnap Sahiana Maman Hassan, editor of the news magazine Le Témoin de l’Histoire, in Niamey, Niger’s capital, according to the journalist and Ibrahim Harouna, president of the Press House, a local media association, who both spoke to CPJ via messaging app. Hassane,…
Niger blocks RFI and France 24 in wake of coup
New York, August 3, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists has condemned Niger’s suspension of broadcasts by French outlets Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France 24. “Authorities in Niger should immediately unblock access to RFI and France 24’s broadcasts and ensure all media in the country can operate freely and without fear of reprisal,” said Angela…
Niger journalists Moussa Aksar and Samira Sabou convicted, fined under cybercrime act
New York, January 13, 2022 — Nigerien authorities should not contest the appeals of journalists Moussa Aksar and Samira Sabou, and should reform the country’s cybercrime law to ensure it is not used to prosecute the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 3, the High Court in Niamey, Niger’s capital, convicted…
Niger journalist Samira Sabou jailed, charged with cybercrime over Facebook post
New York, June 12, 2020 — Authorities in Niger should immediately release journalist Samira Ibrahim Sabou and drop all charges against her, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Authorities arrested Sabou, editor with the privately owned Niger Search news website and manager of the Mides-Niger news website, on June 10 after she responded to…