Niger military
Protesters hold a Niger flag during a demonstration on independence day in Niamey on August 3, 2023. – Hundreds of people backing the coup in Niger gathered on August 3, 2023 for a mass rally in the capital Niamey with some brandishing giant Russian flags. The demonstrators converged at Concertation Square in the heart of the city, following a call by a coalition of civil society associations on a day marking the country’s 1960 independence from France. (Photo by – / AFP)

Home » African media figures rally for press freedom – Niger

African media figures rally for press freedom – Niger

Dozens of prominent African media figures have united to voice their appeal for the preservation of a free and independent press.

By AFP
25-08-23 19:39
in Africa
Niger military
Protesters hold a Niger flag during a demonstration on independence day in Niamey on August 3, 2023. – Hundreds of people backing the coup in Niger gathered on August 3, 2023 for a mass rally in the capital Niamey with some brandishing giant Russian flags. The demonstrators converged at Concertation Square in the heart of the city, following a call by a coalition of civil society associations on a day marking the country’s 1960 independence from France. (Photo by – / AFP)

Dozens of African media figures on Friday called on the new military regime in Niger to respect press freedoms after a series of incidents.

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RSF

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) organised the appeal of some 80 people, including media owners in francophone Africa.

“We ask the junta to respect the right to information, to pluralism and media independence,” said the statement.

It urged the regime in Niamey to “contribute towards the safety of local and international journalists”.

MEDIA FREEDOM

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The appeal cites several incidents since the July 26 coup which saw foreign and Nigerien reporters targeted at demonstrations or face intimidation and threats.

RSF said the facts showed that attacks on press freedom had increased since the coup.

Radio France Internationale and France 24 TV news have been cut in Niger since August 3.

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Both services had already been suspended in neighbouring  Burkina Faso and Mali, where coups d’Etat have also taken place.

Friday’s appeal was also addressed “to the other Sahel states led by the military”.

“We remind them of their duty to respect the rights of journalists and particularly of access to information in the interest of the peoples of the Sahel,” it said.

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