Niger Suspends Nine French Media Outlets

Niger's military government suspended nine French media outlets on Friday, accusing them of broadcasting content that threatens public order and national stability.

The National Observatory of Communication, Niger's media regulatory body, announced the immediate ban in a statement aired on state television. The measure applies to satellite packages, cable networks, digital platforms, websites and mobile applications of France 24, Radio France Internationale, France Afrique Média, LSI Africa, Agence France-Presse, TV5 Monde, TF1 Info, Jeune Afrique and Mediapart. Officials said the outlets had repeatedly aired material likely to endanger public order, national unity, social cohesion, the stability of institutions and the morale of defense and security forces.

The decision follows a military coup in July 2023 that installed General Abdourahamane Tchiani as leader. RFI and France 24 were first suspended days after the takeover, and the BBC faced a similar ban in December 2024. Niger, along with allies Mali and Burkina Faso in the Alliance of Sahel States, has distanced itself from France and other Western partners. The juntas expelled French troops engaged in counter-jihadist...