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June 14, 2025 – Niger –
a military court in Niger remanded two journalists from Sahara FM, a private radio station, into custody in Kollo prison, south of Niamey. They are charged with “undermining national defence and plotting against state authority.” The arrests stem from early May when Sahara FM aired reports suggesting that Niger had terminated security accords with Russia, a close ally of the country’s military junta. A third journalist in the group was released on bail.
The case follows a pattern of growing press restrictions since the 2023 coup, with Niger facing criticism from human rights and press freedom advocates. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Niger 83rd out of 180 in its 2025 Press Freedom Index, reflecting declining conditions for journalists.
Sahara FM’s reports on alleged security deal cancellations with Russia—vital to the junta—are now cited as justification for plotting charges. The station’s owner, Air Info, informed AFP that the military court’s decision followed a complaint from state prosecutors, who claim the reports posed threats to national defense.
These charges are not an isolated incident; they align with a wider clampdown on independent media. Historically, Niger’s High Council for Communication (CSC) has shut down stations and imposed bans during crises—such as past Tuareg rebellions—using libel laws and emergency powers to stifle dissent.
The journalists’ detention is drawing local and international concern. Press freedom advocates are urging the junta to drop politically motivated legal actions and to ensure that media outlets can operate without fear. The heavy-handed use of military courts to try civilian journalists signals an erosion of democratic expression and may violate rights under Niger’s laws and its commitments to international media freedom standards .
As the detained reporters await trial, this crackdown highlights the precarious state of press freedom in Niger. The arrests not only impact the individuals involved but also threaten the credibility of the country’s emerging democratic norms and raise urgent questions about government control over security-sensitive reporting.
Reference –
Military court remands two Nigerien journalists for alleged plot against state
Two Nigerien Journalists Jailed for Alleged Plot Against the State
