Nigeria Suspends French Media Outlets

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned Niger's suspension of nine French media publications as the military government continues to crack down on journalists, reports Al Jazeera. 

Niger announced the suspension on Friday, citing "repeated dissemination of content likely to seriously jeopardize public order, national unity, social cohesion, and the stability of the institutions of the Republic". 

The suspended organizations are France 24, RFI (Radio France Internationale), France Afrique Media, LSI Africa, AFP (Agence France-Presse), TV5 Monde, TF1 Info, Jeune Afrique and Mediapart, according to a TV statement from the National Communication Observatory (ONC). 

It added that the decision was "immediate" and it included "satellite packages, cable networks, digital platforms, websites and mobile applications". RSF described the decision as "abusive". 

"RSF condemns a coordinated strategy to repress press freedom within the AES [Alliance of Sahel States] and calls for the immediate reversal of this abusive decision," said a statement posted on X, referring to Niger and allies Mali and Burkina Faso, all ruled by military governments.

Niger's military seized power in July 2023, toppling the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum and detaining him. The government has since targeted local and foreign media outlets, particularly those critical of its policies, by issuing bans or suspensions. RFI and France 24 were suspended a few days after the coup, and the BBC from Britain was suspended in December 2024. The targeting of French and other foreign media comes as Niger's military government has largely severed ties with its former colonial power, France, and turned away from Western allies. In late 2023, Niger asked leaders in Paris to withdraw thousands of troops involved in missions against armed groups operating in Niger, neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso.

The three AES states have since secured defence partnerships with other countries, notably Russia.

All three have regularly denounced France's "imperialism", saying they want to assert their "sovereignty". French media and other foreign outlets have similarly been suspended or banned by the governments in Bamako and Ouagadougou.