Niger Suspends BBC, Files Lawsuit Against RFI Over ‘Inciting Genocide’ Claims

Saturday 14 December 2024 - 11:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Niger Suspends BBC, Files Lawsuit Against RFI Over ‘Inciting Genocide’ Claims

The government of Niger has taken strong action against international media, suspending BBC broadcasts for three months and filing a lawsuit against Radio France Internationale (RFI) for allegedly “inciting genocide.” The measures followed reports by RFI and the BBC about a deadly terrorist attack in Chatoumane, a town in western Niger, near the border with Burkina Faso.

Niger’s authorities swiftly denied the media coverage, condemning it as a “gross and shameful campaign of disinformation with genocidal undertones.” In a statement, Sidi Mohamed Raliou, Niger’s Minister of Communication, announced the suspension of all BBC programming and broadcasts in the country, citing the disinformation claims.

The decision comes on the heels of previous bans on other French media outlets, including France 24 and RFI, for similar reasons. These actions reflect the growing tensions between Niger’s transitional government and foreign media outlets, set against the backdrop of escalating security concerns and mounting international scrutiny.

As Niger continues to grapple with these challenges, the country’s stance on media coverage is increasingly scrutinized by the global community. The ongoing dispute underscores the delicate balance Niger must strike between addressing national security issues and managing its relations with the international press.