DAKAR, Senegal — The junta currently governing Niger has announced the suspension of the BBC for a duration of three months, citing the broadcaster’s coverage of a terrorist attack that reportedly resulted in the deaths of numerous Nigerien soldiers and civilians. This decision was revealed by authorities on Thursday.
Communications Minister Raliou Sidi Mohamed declared that the BBC disseminated incorrect information that could disrupt social order and negatively impact the morale of the troops. In formal correspondence directed at local radio stations that air BBC programming, he instructed these outlets to cease broadcasting the BBC’s content “with immediate effect.”
The BBC has refrained from commenting on the suspension. Popular shows produced by the BBC, especially those in Hausa—the predominant language in Niger—are made available in the country through local radio partnerships to broaden their reach within the region.
Just the day before the suspension, the BBC’s Hausa-language website reported that militants had killed over 90 soldiers and more than 40 civilians in two villages adjacent to the Burkinabe border. Similarly, French outlet Radio France International (RFI) described the incident as a jihadi attack and reported the same casualty figures.
In response, Nigerien authorities contested the occurrence of such an attack in the affected region, issuing a statement on state television and announcing plans to file a complaint against RFI for “incitement to genocide.”
Niger, along with Burkina Faso and Mali, has struggled against a persistent insurgency spearheaded by jihadist groups, including affiliates of al-Qaida and the Islamic State. Following recent military coups in these nations, the ruling juntas have removed French military forces and sought support from Russian mercenaries for national security.
However, analysts argue that the security situation in the Sahel has deteriorated since these juntas assumed control, marked by an unprecedented surge in assaults and civilian casualties inflicted by both Islamic militants and state security forces.
Additionally, the ruling juntas have intensified measures against political opposition and journalists. Earlier this year, authorities in Mali prohibited media coverage of political organizations, while Burkina Faso suspended BBC and Voice of America broadcasts following reports on a mass civilian killing perpetrated by its military.
In August 2023, Niger barred French outlets France 24 and RFI from broadcasting, a month after the military leadership took over via a coup.
“In general, these three juntas impose media censorship immediately when the security situation is reported in an unfavorable light or when instances of abuse come to light,” stated Sadibou Marong, head of Reporters Without Borders for sub-Saharan Africa, in September.
He further emphasized that obtaining trustworthy and unbiased information regarding government actions has become increasingly challenging, especially when trying to cover the security dynamics in these nations.
