The Nigerien authorities announced the suspension on Friday, saying it was due to the “repeated dissemination of content likely to seriously jeopardise public order, national unity, social cohesion, and the stability of the institutions of the Republic.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned Niger’s suspension of nine French media outlets, as the country’s military authorities intensify their crackdown on journalists.
The Nigerien authorities announced the suspension on Friday, saying it was due to the “repeated dissemination of content likely to seriously jeopardise public order, national unity, social cohesion, and the stability of the institutions of the Republic.”
The affected organisations include France 24, RFI (Radio France Internationale), France Afrique Media, LSI Africa, AFP (Agence France-Presse), TV5 Monde, TF1 Info, Jeune Afrique, and Mediapart, according to a statement from the National Communication Observatory (ONC).
The statement added that the measure takes immediate effect and applies to “satellite packages, cable networks, digital platforms, websites and mobile applications.”
RSF strongly criticised the move, describing it as “abusive.”
“RSF condemns a coordinated strategy to repress press freedom within the AES [Alliance of Sahel States] and calls for the immediate reversal of this abusive decision,” the organisation said in a post on X, referring to Niger and its military-led allies Mali and Burkina Faso.
Niger’s military government took power in July 2023 after overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum, who was democratically elected and has since been detained.
Since the coup, authorities have increasingly targeted both local and international media outlets, particularly those seen as critical of the government, through suspensions and bans.
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