APPEAL OF THE 80: “Military authorities are obliged to respect rights of journalists in the Sahel”

We, journalists, directors of media outlets and press freedom advocacy organisations, established and working in Africa, have received reports of numerous attacks on press freedom since the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) seized power in Niger on 26 July 2023.

https://www.impact.sn/At-the-initiative-of-Reporters-Without-Borders-RSF--80-journalists-media-owners-and-African-press-freedom-defenders_a39865.html


1.  Two days after the coup, unidentified individuals attacked crews from Nigerien radio-TV broadcaster Anfani and damaged a camera from private TV channel Bonferey. They were covering a press conference by women from the political party of deposed president Mohamed Bazoum.

2.  Journalist Soufiane Maman Hassan, publisher of the newspaper Le Témoin de l’Histoire, reported being stopped in the street by masked men. They threatened to come to his house “very soon,” to take him away. They told him to watch out for what he published in his newspaper and on his social media.
 
3.  On 29 July, a member of the CNSP support committee called publicly for the indefinite suspension of western media. On 3 August, the TV channel France 24 and radio broadcaster RFI were shut down until further notice.

4.  While covering demonstrations, international media correspondents have been threatened on multiple occasions by people hostile to their presence. On 19 August three of them were attacked physically, with two of them injured. They had been covering a recruitment ceremony for Volunteers of the Homeland (VDP).

5.  On 4 August, journalist and blogger Samira Sabou received an intimidating phone call by a member of the military close to the junta after she had shared on social media, as a news item, a post by deposed president Bazoum. She condemns a “denial of the right to practice the profession ethically.”
Amid multiple calls to the CNSP to respect press freedom by the Maison de la presse  of Niger, by those who stand in solidarity with Nigerien journalists and international correspondents, we reiterate the need, in this moment of crisis, for diverse and reliable coverage of events, based on respect for the ethical standards of the profession. We demand that the junta respect the right to information, and to media pluralism and independence.

Specifically, we call on the CNSP to:

1.  Safeguard the safety of local and international journalists:

•   End verbal attacks and threats against journalists, including by CNSP members, and to publicly condemn such attacks when they occur.
• Remove all obstacles, of whatever kind, to criminal investigation of threats and attacks on journalists, which must be undertaken in order to identify and prosecute those responsible, whoever they may be.

 
2.  Respect media-protection legal provisions:

• The 2010 ruling on press freedom ends prison sentences for press crimes.
• Since 2022, the cyber-crime law no longer includes imprisonment for crimes committed by electronic media outlets, including slander or defamation by journalists.

 However, provisions of this law against crimes of treason, terrorism and threat to state security pose the risk of unwarranted repression of journalists.
We call on the CNSP to commit publicly to not invoke against journalists, because of their journalistic work, laws on treason, terrorism and state security.
 
3.  Respect citizens’ right to be informed:

•  Preserve and respect citizens’ right to be informed.
•  Lift the suspension of media outlets such as RFI and France 24.
• Maintain internet platforms and social media open, protected, inclusive and accessible.

 
4.  Respect media pluralism, diversity and independence

• The CNSP must treat information as a public good and respect the pluralism and independence of independent media.
• Media access to adequate and stable financing must not encounter obstacles.

Our appeal is also directed to other States in the Sahel controlled by the military. We remind them of their duty to respect the rights of journalists, especially the right of access to information, in the interest of inhabitants of the Sahel.
 
SIGNATORIES
Organisations
1.         Africtivistes
2.         Article 19 West Africa
3.         Association of African Communication Professionals (APAC/Niger)
4.         Association of Online Media of Chad
5.         Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO)
6.         Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ Africa)
7.         Federation of African Journalists (FAJ)
8.         Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
9.         Journalists in Danger (JED)
10.  Panos Institute of West Africa (IPAO)
11.  International Press Institute (IPI)
12.  Maison de la Presse du  Niger
13.  National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
14.  Union of Journalists of West Africa (UJAO)
15.  Union of Journalists of the African Free Press (UJPLA)
17. Reporters Without Borders
18. South Africa National Editors Forum (SANEF)
 
 
Journalists
Niger:
19.  Ibrahim Abdou - Editor of news site infoniamey.com
20.  Moussa Aksar - Editor of l’Évenement newspaper
21.  Soufiane Maman Hassan – Publisher, Le Témoin de l’Histoire
22.  Oumarou Kane -  Editor in Chief of satirical newspaper Le Hérisson
23.  Moussa Moudi – Editor in Chief of ANFANI Group and Secretary General of SYNATIC
24.  Moussa Naganou – Editor of private daily Mourya, the Voice of Niger, and president of the Nigerien Association for Defence of the Right to Information and Development (ANDDID-Niger)
25.  Samira Sabou – Editor of Mides Niger
26.  Amina Niandou, Président of APAC Niger
27.  Mahamadou Tahirou - Président of Journalists Forum for Promotion of Good Governance
28.  Ibrahim Tikire – President of Journalists Network for Human Rights
Burkina Faso :
29.  Aimé Nabaloum – Editor in Chief of newspaper Le Reporter
30.  Serge Atiana Oulon- Editor of bimonthly L'ÉVÉNEMENT
31.  Ousséni Ilboudo – News Director of l'Observateur Paalga
 
Benin :
32.  Fiacre Viginhou - Director FV Partners Group
33.  Raoul Hounsounou – Managing Editor of Kori Actu
34.  Cherifou Riwanou – Editor of publication Matin Libre
 
Burundi :
35.  Abbas Mbazumutima – News Director, Iwacu Press Group
 
Cameroon :
36.  Emmanuel Ekouli – Editor of publication La voix du Centre
37.  Haman Manan – Editor of daily Le Jour.
 
Cape Verde :
38.  Nélio Santos – Editor of Public Radio of Cape Verde
 
Djibouti :
39.  Mahamoud Djama -  Investigative Journalist and production director of La Voix de Djibouti
 
Gabon :
40.  Désiré Ename – Publisher, Echos du Nord
 
The Gambia:
41.  Pap Saine – Co-publisher, The Point
 
Ghana :
42.  Linda Asante-Agyei - Ghana News Agency and Vice Président of  the Ghana Journalists Association
43.  Araba Koomson – Editor of  Joy News
 
Guinea:
44.  Nouhou Baldé – Founder and general manager of news site, guineematin.com
45.  Mohamed BANGOURA – Editor of news site,  www.mosaiqueguinee.com
 
Liberia :
46.  Sam O. Dean – Editor of newspaper, The Independent
47.  Jimmey Fahngon – Editor in Chief of newspaper, The News
 
Mali :
 
48.  Boubacar Diarra – Editor of newspaper, La Référence du Mali (general news weekly)
49.  Freddy Matar Sylla – Editor of satirical weekly, Mindiss
50.  Abdoul Majid Thiam – Editor of newspaper, Le Focus (general news and investigative weekly)
 
Madagascar :
51.   Rakotonirina Gérard – Editor of daily, Basy Vava
52.   Fernand Cello, Editor, radio Jupiter
 
Malawi :
53.  Lloyd Mbwana - Managing Editor Maravi Post
54.  Winston Mwale – Editor in Chief, Africa Brief
 
Mauritius
 55.   Richard Le Bon- Editor in Chief, Business Magazine
 Nigeria :
56.  Samuel Ogundipe – News director, Peoples Gazette
57. Agba Jalingo- Publisher, Cross River Watch
 
Republic of the Congo :
58.  Marna Mankene – Editor in Chief, Vox Tv
59.  Fortunat Ngolali – General Manager, Tsieleka Tv
 
Democratic Republic of the Congo
60.  Tshivis Tshivuadi, President, Journalists in Danger (JED)
61.  Gilbert KYUNGU, Coordinator, Network of Associated and Community Media of Katanga
62.  Blaise Zahinda Ntole, Journalist, editor, Lengonyalengi.net
63.Philippe MAKOMERA- Programme Director, Radio Moto Butembo-Beni, .
 
Senegal :
63.  Momar Dieng – Director of online news site, impact.sn
64.  Ibrahima Lissa Faye – Editor in Chief of news site,  Pressafrik
65.  Faydy Dramé- Journalist, Project Manager, regional outlet,  Ouestaf news
66.  Abdoulaye Thiam- Président UPF Sénégal
 
Seychelles :
67.  Vel Moonien-  Editor in Chief, Today in Seychelles
68.  Patsy Canaya- Editor, Seychelles Nation
69.   Rassin Vannier- CEO Seychelles News Agency.
 
Sierra Leone :
70.  Stephen Douglas – Editor of newspaper, NewsWatch
71.   Lawrence Williams – Editor and news director of newspaper Fritong Post
 
South Africa:
72. Branko Brkic- Editor in Chief  Daily Maverick
73. Adriaan Basson- Editor News 24
 
South Sudan :
74.  Peter Louis- Head of Kanga Africa Media for Production and Investment.
75.  Oyet Patrick- Head of Union of Journalists in South Sudan
 
Chad :
76.  Sony Mekondo – Editor in Chief, FM Liberté
77.  Olivier Monodji – Editor in chief of weekly, Le Pays
78.  Djimet Wiche- Editor in Chief, Alwihda Info
 
Togo :
79.  Médard AMETEPE – Editor in Chief,  newspaper Liberté
80.  Isidore Kouwonou – Editor in Chief of investigative biweekly, L’Alternative