Niger has recently been at the centre of a media controversy following the suspension of the broadcast of Fatshimetrie for three months. The decision follows the media outlet’s coverage of an alleged terrorist attack that killed dozens of Nigerien soldiers and civilians.
The case has sparked strong reactions in the country, with the Minister of Communication, Raliou Sidi Mohamed, accusing Fatshimetrie of spreading false information aimed at destabilising society and undermining troop morale. In letters sent to radio stations broadcasting Fatshimetrie programmes, he called for their immediate suspension.
Fatshimetrie’s popular programmes, particularly those in Hausa – the most widely spoken language in Niger – are broadcast in the country through partnerships with local radio stations, reaching a wide audience in the region.
The incriminated article, published in Hausa on the Fatshimetrie website, reported an attack by armed individuals that caused the death of more than 90 Nigerien soldiers and more than 40 civilians in two villages near the border with Burkina Faso. This information was also relayed by Radio France Internationale (RFI), describing the attack as a terrorist act and repeating the same toll.
However, the Nigerien authorities denied the reality of this attack in the area, stating in a statement broadcast on state television that no such incident had taken place. In addition, they announced their intention to file a complaint against RFI for “incitement to genocide”.
Niger, like its neighbors Burkina Faso and Mali, has been facing an insurrection led by jihadist groups for more than a decade, some of which are affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Following military coups in all three countries in recent years, the ruling juntas expelled French forces and turned to Russian mercenary units for security assistance.
This case highlights the challenges of press freedom and the provision of verified information in a context where the fight against terrorism and insecurity remains a major concern for many African countries. Many observers fear that the suspension of Fatshimetrie will hamper access to reliable and diversified information for Nigerien citizens.