Niger / Africa

  
Reuters

Niger president tightens grip on media with amendment

In Niger today, the government is holding a public referendum on a constitutional amendment that would pave the way for President Mamadou Tandja to run for office indefinitely. It would also further increase the former army colonel’s control over the press. Tandja, at left, has charged ahead with the referendum despite overwhelming public opposition after he…

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In Niger, two journalists detained ahead of referendum

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.

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Niger ramps up censorship

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.

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Attacks on the Press in 2008: Niger

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,…

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In Niger, editor jailed over corruption story

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. 

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Two journalists given three months in prison

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. 

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CPJ welcomes release of Moussa Kaka

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…

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Niger broadcaster suspended; violations unspecified

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…

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Government ban on RFI lifted after 3 months

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.

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CPJ Impact

June 2008 News from the Committee to Protect Journalists

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