Press freedom under threat in Niger amid arrests and intimidation

Press freedom in Niger has come under severe threat as transitional authorities escalate intimidation tactics and arbitrary arrests targeting journalists covering the country’s conflict and security challenges, warns Amnesty International.

Since the 26 July 2023 coup d’état—when presidential guard commander Abdourahamane Tchiani detained President Mohamed Bazoum and declared himself head of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), which now oversees the transition—journalists have faced growing restrictions and rampant self-censorship due to fear of reprisals.

“The blatant disregard for the right to freedom of expression and press freedom, along with the suppression of journalists, is occurring at a critical time when the public urgently needs accurate coverage of the conflict and the transitional authorities’ handling of the crisis. We urge Nigerien officials to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists detained for exercising their right to free speech or reporting on matters of public interest. They must also guarantee journalists can work without fear of harassment, intimidation, arrest, or detention,” stated Samira Daoud, Regional Director for Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa Office.

On 24 April 2024, Soumana Maiga, editor-in-chief of L’Enquêteur newspaper, was arrested following the publication of an article alleging that Russian agents installed surveillance equipment in government buildings. He now faces charges of “undermining national defense,” which carry a potential sentence of up to ten years imprisonment if convicted.

The transitional authorities must uphold their legal obligations to respect, protect, promote, and fulfill the human rights of all people in the country.

Samira Daoud, Regional Director, Amnesty International West and Central Africa Office

Days earlier, on 13 April 2024, Ousmane Toudou—a journalist and former communications advisor to the deposed president—was also detained. After 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 limit for pretrial detention (four days) having expired, he remains held without judicial review and is slated to face a military tribunal, in violation of international standards that restrict military courts to military offenses only.

journalists pull back as self-censorship rises in Niger

Tchima Illa Issoufou, the BBC’s Hausa-language correspondent, became a target after reporting on the deteriorating security situation in Tillabéri, a hotspot in western Niger. She was accused of attempting to “destabilize the country” and faced online smear campaigns alleging she was acting under “foreign influence.” After her report aired, civil society activist Ali Tera, who was interviewed for the piece, was arrested on 26 April 2024 and placed in pretrial detention at Niamey’s civil prison on 29 April. Fearing arrest, Tchima Illa Issoufou fled the country.

“The environment for journalism in Niger has deteriorated sharply. Press freedom principles are under attack by the new authorities. Many of us, including myself, now exercise extreme caution in what we publish to avoid putting ourselves in danger,” shared a media director in Niger with Amnesty International on condition of anonymity.

In January 2024, the Maison de la Presse, an umbrella organization representing both private and public media outlets in Niger, was suspended and replaced by an ad hoc committee led by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Interior.

“Freedom of expression, access to information, and press freedom are enshrined in both national law and international human rights treaties—including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Niger is a state party. Transitional authorities must act to fulfill their legal duty to respect, protect, and promote the human rights of all citizens,” emphasized Samira Daoud.