Why Niger Republic has suspended BBC

Niger’s authorities have suspended the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for three months over the broadcaster’s coverage of an extremist attack that allegedly killed dozens of Nigerien soldiers and civilians, authorities said Thursday.

“BBC broadcasts false information aimed at destabilizing social calm and undermining the troops’ morale,” communications minister Raliou Sidi Mohamed said in letters to radio stations that rebroadcast BBC content. Mohamed asked the stations to suspend BBC’s programs “with immediate effect.”

The BBC said it had no comment on the suspension.

Popular BBC programs, including those in Hausa — the most-spoken language in Niger — are broadcast in the Central African country through local radio partners to reach a large audience across the region.

The British broadcaster had reported on its website in Hausa on Wednesday that gunmen had killed more than 90 Nigerien soldiers and more than 40 civilians in two villages near the border with Burkina Faso.

The French broadcaster Radio France International, also known as RFI, also reported on the attack, calling it a jihadi attack and citing the same death toll.

Niger’s authorities denied that an attack happened in the area in a statement read on state television and said it would file a complain against RFI for “incitement to genocide.”

Niger, along with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Mali, has for over a decade battled an insurgency fought by jihadi groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, the ruling juntas have expelled French forces and turned to Russia’s mercenary units for security assistance.

The junta’s relationship with the media

The Niger Republic junta’s relationship with the media is quite complex and limited.

Since the military takeover, the junta has been cautious in its dealings with the media, often restricting access to information and limiting press freedom.

After the coup, the junta announced the suspension of several media outlets, citing national security concerns.

This move was seen as an attempt to control the narrative and limit criticism of the new government.

The junta has also been accused of harassing and intimidating journalists who dare to criticize its actions.

This has created a climate of fear among media practitioners, making it difficult for them to report freely and independently.

Furthermore, the junta has restricted access to certain parts of the country, making it challenging for journalists to report on important issues.

This lack of transparency has fueled speculation and rumors, further complicating the already tense situation.

Overall, the Niger Republic junta’s relationship with the media is characterized by restriction, intimidation, and limited access to information.

Niger Republic…

Niger Republic, officially known as the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country located in West Africa.

With a population of approximately 25 million people, Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, despite being rich in natural resources such as uranium, gold, and oil.

The country has a diverse geography, with the Sahara Desert covering much of its territory, and a varied culture, with over 20 ethnic groups.

Niger has faced numerous challenges, including political instability, terrorism, and climate change, which have hindered its economic development and social progress.

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