"Niger's authorities announced the suspension on Friday, saying it affected nine of France's main media organizations: AFP, France 24, Radio France Internationale (RFI), France Afrique Media, LSI Africa, TV5 Monde, TF1 Info, Jeune Afrique and Mediapart. A statement read on state television accused the outlets of repeatedly broadcasting what it described as "content likely to gravely endanger public order, national unity, social cohesion and the stability of the institutions." The media regulatory authority did not say how long the suspension would apply for, nor did it give any examples of broadcasting it deemed unacceptable."
"It gave no reason for the sudden blanket ban, but it coincides with the aftermath of a major militant uprising in neighboring Mali which is also run by a Russian-backed military government by separatist and Islamist elements that are active in parts of Niger as well. It did however say the outlets' reporting were liable to undermine troop morale. RFI and France 24 were suspended a few days after the 2023 coup that brought a military-led government to power and would soon lead to a severing of ties with France and closer alignment to Russia."
"Earlier in the week, Burkina Faso an ally of Mali and Niger in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) that unites three former French colonies now run by generals with close connections to the Kremlin also suspended TV5 Monde. The three francophone West African countries Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in the AES alliance are all ruled by military officers turned unelected 'interim presidents'Image: Mahamadou Hamidou/REUTERS"
Niger suspended nine major French media organizations, including AFP, France 24, RFI, France Afrique Media, LSI Africa, TV5 Monde, TF1 Info, Jeune Afrique, and Mediapart. The military authorities said the outlets repeatedly broadcast content likely to gravely endanger public order, national unity, social cohesion, and institutional stability. No examples or evidence were provided, and no duration for the suspension was stated. The authorities also claimed the reporting could undermine troop morale. The move followed a militant uprising in neighboring Mali, where a Russian-backed military government faces separatist and Islamist activity. Similar actions occurred in Burkina Faso, which suspended TV5 Monde.
#niger #media-censorship #france-niger-relations #west-africa-security #alliance-of-sahel-states-aes
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