In Niger, prominent journalist Moussa Kaka missing since August 31
Dakar, September 9, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Nigerien authorities to take urgent action to find Moussa Kaka, CEO of the Radio Télévision Saraounia (RTS) group, who disappeared on August 31, days after authorities foiled an attempted coup. “The suspicious circumstances surrounding Moussa Kaka’s disappearance demand urgent action to locate him and end…
Niger suspends 9 French media outlets for alleged public order threat
Dakar, May 15, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in Niger to reverse the suspension of nine France-based news outlets and to release all four journalists jailed since last year. The affected outlets are state-funded broadcasters France 24 and Radio France Internationale (RFI), Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency, TV5Monde network, the pan-African weekly…
Malian journalist given 2-year prison sentence for insulting Niger’s president
Dakar, March 24, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Malian authorities to release journalist Youssouf Sissoko, who was sentenced on Monday to two years in prison and a fine of 1 million West African francs (US$1,759) for offending a foreign head of state by publishing a commentary piece that criticized Niger’s president. “The severity…
Kenya court due to rule on cybercrimes law as another journalist faces jail
Journalist Peter Maseke Mwita has a keener interest than most in Friday’s upcoming ruling on the constitutionality of Kenya’s cybercrime law — legislation that could see him jailed for up to 10 years over a mistaken WhatsApp message. On February 27, a three-judge court of appeal bench is due to rule in a case brought…
Malian journalist in prison awaiting trial for offending Niger’s military leader
Dakar, February 6, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Malian authorities to immediately release Youssouf Sissoko, who was detained on Thursday for publishing a commentary piece criticizing neighboring Niger’s president’s comments about a jihadist attack. “In recent years, Malian authorities have drastically reduced the media’s ability to criticize their actions and they are now…
Niger arrests DW correspondent over report on Nigerian refugees
Dakar, January 26, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges authorities in Niger to release Gazali Abdou Tasawa, a correspondent for the German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), who was arrested over a report on Nigerian refugees living by a cemetery. “Gazali Abdou Tasawa is the fifth journalist trapped behind bars in Niger because of reporting…
In Niger, 3 journalists jailed on cybercrime charges for allegedly sharing an invitation
Dakar, November 7, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Nigerien authorities to free journalists Ibro Chaibou, Youssouf Sériba, and Oumarou Abou Kané who were remanded in southern Niger’s Kollo prison on November 3. The three were initially arrested on October 30 and are accused of sending an invitation to a government news conference to…
In Niger, journalist faces up to 3 years jail for alleged defamation of PM
Dakar, September 17, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges authorities in Niger to immediately release Ali Soumana, publishing director of the privately owned Le Courrier newspaper, after Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine complained of defamation. “Ali Soumana’s imprisonment illustrates that press freedom in Niger has declined since last year, when President Abdourahmane Tchiani reintroduced…
3 Nigerien journalists detained after broadcast on Russia military cooperation
Dakar, May 15, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Nigerien authorities to swiftly and unconditionally release journalists Hamid Mahmoud, Massaouda Jaharou, and Mahaman Sani, with the privately owned Sahara FM radio station, after they were arrested for the second time in four days on May 10 for broadcasting information about the country’s military cooperation…
Niger suspends BBC, announces a complaint against RFI
Dakar, December 13, 2024 – Nigerien authorities have suspended the publicly-funded British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for three months and announced the Nigerien government would bring a complaint of “incitement to genocide and inter-community massacre” against the French government-owned Radio France Internationale (RFI). “The Nigerien authorities should reverse their suspension of the BBC and their intentions to take legal action…