(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is expressing concern further to the worsening of the press freedom situation in Niger. According to RSF’s information, the president of the Superior Council on Communications (Conseil supérieur de la communication, CSC), Daouda Diallo, announced during a press conference on 28 October 1998 that starting 31 October, all newspapers whose chief editors […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is expressing concern further to the worsening of the press
freedom situation in Niger. According to RSF’s information, the president of
the Superior Council on Communications (Conseil supérieur de la
communication, CSC), Daouda Diallo, announced during a press conference on
28 October 1998 that starting 31 October, all newspapers whose chief editors
were not holders of professional journalists’ licences would be suspended.
He also stated that Niger’s private radio stations would no longer be
permitted to relay foreign stations during their news programmes.
The previous evening, Ibrahim Hanidou, chief editor of the weekly “La
Tribune du Peuple” and Abdul Mounime Ousseyni, chief editor of the “Citoyen”
weekly, each received a six month suspended sentence for defamation by a
court of first instance in Niamey. This sentence followed the filing of a
complaint by the consul of Niger in Djedda (Saudi Arabia). The two
newspapers had earlier published an article which stated the diplomat in
question was “persona non grata” on Saudi territory and that he was
implicated in a “passsport trafficking affair.” “La Tribune du Peuple” and
“Citoyen” newspapers were also sentenced to pay fines of 100,000 F CFA
(US$180) and 3 million F CFA (US$5,400) in damages and interest.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
the president of the CSC are not applied. These would lead to the closure of
many independent newspapers and would be an obstacle to the free flow of
information
including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the
African Charter of Human Rights – which guarantee the right to free
expression and circulation of information
appeals trial. The high figure requested from the two publications in
damages and interest will certainly force them to close
Foreign Affairs’ official denial, thereby conforming to the law on the press
Appeals To
General Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara
President of the Republic
Niamey, Niger
Fax: +227 72 2245 / +227 72 272 / +227 72 2336
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.