More than a year after the coup in July 2023, the media situation in Niger continues to deteriorate. The recent arrests of three journalists from Sahara FM in Agadez underline the serious threats to the freedom of the press and the security of media professionals in the country.
On May 7, three journalists from Sahara FM radio, based in Agadez, were arrested by the police for relaying sensitive information. Hamid Mahmoud, Massaouda Jaharou and Mahaman Sani are arrested after disseminating an article from the LSI Africa site, which mentioned a supposed rupture of the intelligence cooperation agreements between Niger and its partners. Journalists are arrested twice between May 7 and 10 before being finally released by a judge after a hearing. However, on the night of Friday to Saturday, they are again arrested by the gendarmerie. The reasons given for these arrests are linked to the dissemination of information deemed sensitive by the Nigerian authorities.
In a context where national security is a major concern, the severity of the consequences of muffled information cannot be underestimated. Access to reliable and verified information is essential to allow citizens to understand the issues and make informed decisions. The arrest of these journalists sends a clear signal: any information that could be perceived as critical or annoying for the government will be severely repressed.
The deterioration of press freedom since the coup d'etat
Since the coup d'etat, the situation of the media in Niger has deteriorated considerably. The working conditions of journalists have hardened, and arbitrary arrests have become commonplace. Several journalists have disappeared or are imprisoned for having covered sensitive subjects related to national security. A striking example is that of Idrissa Soumana Maiga , director of the daily "the investigator", who was imprisoned from April to July 2024 for "attack on national defense" after having published an article on the supposed installation of listening equipment by foreign agents on official buildings. Nigerian journalist Samira Sabou was also secretly detained for eight days in September 2023 for "dissemination of data likely to disturb public order".
Freedom of the press is an essential pillar of any democracy that allows citizens to access various and independent information and to debate publicly. In Niger, this freedom is today threatened by an increasing repression which aims to muzzle critical voices and control information.
The difficulties of the journalistic profession in Niger
Nigerian journalists work in an environment increasingly hostile to their profession. Self -censorship, mistrust and fear have become daily realities for those who try to do their job with integrity. Constant repression pushes many professionals to censor themselves, thus avoiding covering sensitive subjects for fear of being arrested or harassed. The Maison de la Presse , an association bringing together several private and public press bodies in Niger, was suspended in January 2024. This decision left unprotective journalists, exacerbating their vulnerability to government pressures. The authorities have also adopted liberticide laws which make it possible to imprison and censor journalists for blurred reasons such as "dissemination of data likely to disturb public order".
Despite these difficulties, journalists remain the guardians of the truth, the defenders of transparency and the vectors of independent information. Press freedom in Niger is seriously threatened, and journalists pay a heavy price for their commitment to inform the public. It is urgent that the international community becomes aware of this crisis and acts to protect the rights of journalists and freedom of expression in Niger. Because without a free and independent press, there is no true democracy.
