Niamey, Niger — An international advocacy group condemned on Saturday niger Nine French media outlets were suspended on charges of “endangering public order and national security”.
Reporters Without Borders called the allegations “fabricated” in a post on X. It condemned the “coordinated strategy to suppress press freedom” and called for the decision to be reversed.
The West African country’s media regulatory authority, the National Observatory of Communications, said in a statement late Friday that the suspension of France 24, RFI, France Afrique Media, LSI Africa, AFP, TV5 Monde, TF1 Info, Jeune Afrique and Mediapart was necessary to “preserve peace, social cohesion and the stability of institutions.”
It accused the affected outlets of “repeatedly broadcasting material seriously endangering public order” and undermining the morale of defense and security forces operating in the region.
Niger, along with neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, is ruled by military leaders who took power by force while promising greater protection for civilians.
Since seizing power, the junta has severed ties France And other Western powers formed their own security alliances and turned to Russia for military support to fight extremist insurgencies.
The security situation is bad in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. condition worsened in recent times Analysts say a record number of attacks have been carried out by Islamic extremists.
In January, Islamic terrorists Air force base attacked in Niger’s capitalKilling of four soldiers. Niger’s military ruler, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, accused the presidents of France, Benin and Ivory Coast of supporting the armed group behind the attack, without providing any evidence to support the claim.
Military leaders in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have also done so Political dissent and journalists were cracked down on..
Niger’s media regulatory authority did not specify the length of the suspension or provide detailed examples of the content that prompted the action.
