Press freedom in Niger faces severe threats as authorities intensify intimidation and arbitrary arrests of journalists covering the nation’s conflict and security issues, Amnesty International warns.
Since the July 26, 2023 coup d’état, when presidential guard commander Abdourahamane Tchiani ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and declared himself head of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland overseeing the transition, journalists have operated under severe restrictions. Widespread self-censorship has emerged as reporters fear retaliation for their work.
«The blatant disregard for freedom of expression and press freedom by the transitional authorities is deeply concerning, especially when the public desperately needs accurate information about the conflict and government responses. We urge Nigerien authorities to immediately release all journalists detained solely for exercising their right to free speech or reporting on matters of public interest. They must also guarantee journalists the ability to work without fear of harassment, intimidation, arrest, or unlawful detention,» stated Samira Daoud, Regional Director of Amnesty International for West and Central Africa.
On April 24, 2024, Soumana Maiga, editor-in-chief of L’Enquêteur, was arrested following the publication of an article alleging Russian agents installed surveillance equipment in official state buildings. He is charged with «undermining national defense» and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The transitional authorities must fulfill their legal obligations to respect, protect, promote, and realize the human rights of all people in Niger.
Samira Daoud, Regional Director of Amnesty International for West and Central Africa
Days earlier, on April 13, 2024, Ousmane Toudou, a journalist and former communications advisor to the deposed president, was also arrested. In the days following the July 2023 coup, Toudou had publicly called on democrats to resist the military takeover in a widely shared social media post. Despite the legal 4-day detention limit having expired, he remains in custody without judicial review and is slated for trial before a military tribunal—contrary to international law, which restricts military courts to military offenses only.
Journalists forced into self-censorship to survive
Tchima Illa Issoufou, BBC Hausa correspondent covering the conflict-ridden Tillabéri region in western Niger, was accused of attempting to «destabilize the country» for reporting on security conditions. She has since fled Niger after being targeted by supporters of the transitional authorities on social media, who labeled her as a foreign agent. Her coverage prompted the arrest of Ali Tera, a civil society figure interviewed in her report, who was detained on April 26, 2024, and placed in Niamey’s civil prison on April 29.
«Working as a journalist in Niger has become extremely dangerous. The principles of press freedom are under direct assault by the new authorities. Many of us—myself included—now carefully curate every word we write just to stay safe,» a media director in Niger told Amnesty International on condition of anonymity.
In January 2024, the Maison de la Presse, a coalition of private and public media outlets, was suspended by transitional authorities and replaced with an ad hoc committee led by the Interior Ministry’s secretary-general.
«Freedom of expression, access to information, and press freedom are constitutionally guaranteed in Niger and protected under international human rights treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the country is a party. The transitional authorities must uphold their legal duty to respect, protect, promote, and fulfill these rights for all,» Daoud reiterated.
