Press freedom in Niger has been a subject of concern due to various challenges faced by journalists and media organisations in the country.
Development Diaries reports that press freedom in Niger is under threat due to the intimidation and arbitrary arrests of journalists doing their work and covering security-related matters in the country.
A report by Amnesty International reveals that press freedom has been curtailed since General Abdourahamane Tchiani took over power.
We understand that the editor of the L’Enquêteur newspaper, Soumana Maiga, was arrested on 24 April, 2024, after his paper published a story about the alleged installation of listening equipment by Russian agents on official state buildings.
Also, former presidential media aide, Ousmane Toudou, was arrested on 13 April, 2024.
Unfortunately, the disregard for freedom of expression, media freedom, and journalistic work comes at a time when the public needs precise information about the conflict that affects them and the response of the transitional authorities to it.
It must be noted that both national laws and international human rights treaties, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Niger is a party, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights guarantee the freedoms of expression, information, and the press.
Development Diaries calls on the Niger transitional government to efficiently carry out its legal duties of upholding, defending, advancing, and safeguarding the human rights of all Nigeriens.
We also join Amnesty International in calling on the Nigerien authorities to unconditionally release journalists arrested and detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression.
Source: Amnesty International
Photo source: AFP via Getty Images
