Niger Suspends 9 French Media Outlets; Watchdog Condemns 'Abusive' Decision
Al Jazeera Staff
Niger's military junta has suspended nine French media outlets, including France 24, RFI, and AFP, accusing them of endangering public order and national stability. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the 'abusive' decision, noting a coordinated suppression of press freedom across the Sahel. The move follows a pattern of crackdowns on domestic and foreign media since the 2023 coup.
On April 18, Niger's military government announced the suspension of nine French media outlets, alleging that they had repeatedly disseminated content that could seriously harm public order, national unity, social cohesion, and the stability of the republic's institutions.
The decision was announced on television by Niger's National Media Monitoring Authority (ONC), took immediate effect, and applies across satellite, cable, digital platforms, websites, and mobile applications.
The suspended organizations include: France 24, RFI (Radio France Internationale), France Afrique Media, LSI Africa, AFP (Agence France-Presse), TV5 Monde, TF1 Info, Jeune Afrique, and Mediapart.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the measure, calling it an 'abusive' decision. In a statement posted on social media platform X, RSF said: 'RSF condemns the coordinated strategy to suppress press freedom within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and calls for the immediate reversal of this abusive decision.' AES includes Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, all governed by military regimes.
Since the army overthrew the elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, Niger's new authorities have consistently targeted domestic and international media, especially those that criticize their policies.
RFI and France 24 were suspended days after the coup. Britain's BBC was also suspended in December 2024. The targeting of French and foreign media comes amid the military government's severance of ties with France, the former colonial power, and a pivot toward other nations, notably Russia.
Local journalists have also been affected. Two Nigerien journalists—Gazali Abdou, a reporter for Germany's Deutsche Welle, and Hassane Zada, editor of a regional newspaper—were released this week after months in detention.
In 2024, Niger's government tightened laws criminalizing the dissemination of digital data 'likely to disturb public order.' The United Nations reported in November 2024 that 13 journalists had been arrested in Niger and called on the authorities to release them. Local media organizations say six journalists remain detained on charges of 'undermining national defense' and 'conspiring against state authority.'
According to AFP, Niger suspended nearly 3,000 domestic and international non-governmental organizations in 2025, accusing them of lacking transparency and supporting 'terrorism' and armed groups. Niger dropped 37 places in RSF's 2025 World Press Freedom Index, now ranking 120th out of 180 countries. RSF and Amnesty International have repeatedly expressed concern over the decline of press freedom in Niger.
