Press Freedom Under Fire: CPJ and ARTICLE 19 Demand Release of Nigerien Journalists
International press freedom advocates are raising the alarm over the detention of three journalists in Niger, calling their imprisonment a blatant attack on free speech. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the global organization ARTICLE 19 have jointly called on Nigerien authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ibro Chaibou, Youssouf Sriba, and Oumarou Abou Kan.
Unjust Detention and Dubious Charges
The three journalists have been held in Kollo prison since November 3rd, facing serious charges that have drawn widespread condemnation. They stand accused of “complicity in disseminating information likely to disturb public order” under the country’s cybercrime law—an offense that carries a potential five-year prison sentence.
What is their alleged crime? According to reports, they stand accused of nothing more than sharing an invitation to a press conference that later appeared on social media platforms. This simple act of communication has now placed their freedom and careers in jeopardy.
International Condemnation Grows
Moussa Ngom, CPJ’s representative for Francophone Africa, didn’t mince words when addressing the situation. “The manipulation of cybercrime laws to bring unfounded charges once again demonstrates the backsliding of Nigerien authorities on press freedom,” Ngom stated on November 7th. He emphatically added, “Nigerien authorities must release Ibro Chaibou, Youssouf Sriba, and Oumarou Abou Kan and drop the charges against all journalists being unjustly prosecuted.”
The condemnation doesn’t stop there. ARTICLE 19 had already denounced the detentions on November 6th, characterizing them as part of “a recurring pattern of censorship and information control in media and online.” The organization’s Regional Director for Senegal & West Africa, Alfred Nkuru Bulakali, highlighted the broader implications, stating that the detention “restricts freedom of expression as well as civic and media space, contradicting Niger’s international human rights obligations.”
A Chilling Message to the Media
The potential consequences for the journalists are severe. Beyond facing up to five years behind bars, they could be hit with fines ranging from two to five million CFA francs. For what essentially amounts to sharing an event invitation, the punishment seems wildly disproportionate.
ARTICLE 19 pushed back strongly against the charges, asserting that “sharing an invitation to a public event is not a crime. It is imperative to protect journalism and freedom of expression.” This sentiment echoes through the international community, which sees the case as a test of Niger’s commitment to democratic principles.
The calls from CPJ and ARTICLE 19 join earlier condemnation from Transparency International, which on November 5th had denounced the imprisonment as a “serious attack” on freedom of expression. The anti-corruption organization had warned that these prosecutions appear designed to “silence any dissenting voice” in the country, painting a worrying picture of shrinking civic space in Niger.
As the journalists remain in detention, the international watchdogs continue to monitor the situation closely, concerned that this case could set a dangerous precedent for media freedom not just in Niger, but across the region.
Source: Original reporting from the Committee to Protect Journalists and ARTICLE 19.