Press Freedom in Niger: A Growing Crisis
The freedom of the press in Niger is facing severe threats as transitional authorities intensify intimidation and arbitrary arrests of journalists covering the country’s ongoing conflict and security concerns. This alarming trend has led many reporters to self-censor out of fear of retaliation.
Since the 26 July 2023 coup, led by presidential guard commander Abdourahamane Tchiani, who overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum and established the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) to oversee the transition, press restrictions have tightened. Journalists now operate under constant pressure, with credible fears of harassment, detention, or worse for reporting on sensitive issues.
Samira Daoud, Regional Director for Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa office, has condemned these actions, stating:
The blatant disregard for press freedom and the right to free expression comes at a critical time when Niger’s population urgently needs accurate, unbiased information about the conflict and the transitional government’s response. Authorities must immediately release all detained journalists and ensure they can work without fear of arrest, intimidation, or persecution.
Samira Daoud, Regional Director, Amnesty International
On 24 April 2024, Soumana Maiga, editor-in-chief of the newspaper L’Enquêteur, was arrested following a report alleging Russian agents had installed surveillance equipment in state buildings. He now faces charges of “undermining national defense”—a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Just days earlier, on 13 April 2024, Ousmane Toudou, a journalist and former communications advisor to the deposed president, was also arrested. After the July 2023 coup, Toudou had publicly called for resistance against military rule in a widely shared social media post. Now in custody, he has yet to be formally charged or brought before a judge, despite the legal 4-day detention limit having expired. His case is slated for a military tribunal—a clear violation of international law, which restricts military courts to handling military offenses only.
Self-Censorship: The New Norm for Nigerien Journalists
Tchima Illa Issoufou, a BBC Hausa correspondent covering the conflict in Tillabéri—a region in western Niger heavily affected by insurgency—was accused of attempting to “destabilize Niger” through her reporting. After facing harassment online and threats from security forces, she fled the country to avoid arrest. Her coverage prompted the detention of Ali Tera, a civil society activist interviewed for the report. Tera was arrested on 26 April 2024 and remains in pre-trial detention at Niamey’s civil prison as of 29 April.
“The environment for journalists in Niger has become extremely hazardous,” said an anonymous media director in an interview with Amnesty International. “Many of us, including myself, now carefully weigh every word we publish to avoid putting ourselves at risk.”
In January 2024, the Maison de la Presse, an association representing private and public media outlets, was suspended by transitional authorities and replaced by an ad hoc committee led by the Ministry of Interior’s secretary-general—further tightening control over the press.
Samira Daoud reiterated that Niger is legally bound to uphold freedom of expression and press freedom under both national law and international treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. “Transitional authorities must fulfill their obligations to respect, protect, and promote human rights for all,” she emphasized.
Call for Immediate Action
Amnesty International and other press freedom advocates urge the Nigerien transitional government to:
- Release all journalists detained for exercising their right to free expression or reporting on public interest issues.
- End arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and harassment of media professionals.
- Uphold legal protections for journalists and ensure fair trials in civilian courts, not military tribunals.
- Restore and respect the autonomy of media associations like the Maison de la Presse.
The situation in Niger serves as a stark reminder of how fragile press freedom can become during political transitions—and why defending it is critical to democracy and public accountability.
