Niger’s military government has suspended the BBC from broadcasting in the country for three months, accusing the outlet of spreading “fake news” that could destabilize social peace and weaken troop morale amid ongoing jihadist attacks.
The decision, announced by Minister of Communication Raliou Sidi Mohamed, took immediate effect and affects all BBC radio programmes aired in Niger, including broadcasts in Hausa and French.
The BBC reaches approximately 2.4 million listeners in Niger, representing 17% of the adult population, through local radio partners. However, its website and shortwave services remain accessible.
The junta did not specify which broadcast led to the suspension but criticized recent reports on jihadist attacks in the volatile Tillaberi region.
The BBC reported that simultaneous attacks on Tuesday in Chatoumane village, allegedly carried out by Islamic State-aligned gunmen, resulted in the deaths of 91 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians.
The Nigerien government dismissed the reports as “baseless assertions” and accused the BBC of participating in a “campaign of intoxication” aimed at demoralizing troops and dividing the nation.
In response, a BBC spokesperson defended its coverage, stating: “We stand by our journalism and will continue to report on the region without fear or favour.”
This move follows a trend of foreign media suspensions under military governments in West Africa. French outlets France24 and Radio France Internationale (RFI) were barred in Niger after the military seized power in a coup in July 2023, ousting President Mohamed Bazoum.
Niger’s junta has also announced plans to file a complaint against RFI, accusing it of “incitement to genocide” and serving as a propaganda arm for former colonial power France. RFI dismissed these allegations as “extravagant and defamatory.”
Niger is one of several Sahel countries, alongside Burkina Faso and Mali, grappling with escalating jihadist violence. These nations, all under military rule, have faced criticism for failing to curb the insurgency.
The Tillaberi region, where Tuesday’s attacks occurred, lies near Niger’s borders with Mali and Burkina Faso and is a hotspot for jihadist activity by groups linked to both Islamic State and al-Qaeda.
In an effort to combat the insurgency, the three countries have formed a military alliance and expelled French troops, opting instead for security support from Russia and Turkey. Despite these measures, violence continues to surge, further destabilizing the region.
The suspension of the BBC marks the latest effort by Niger’s junta to control the narrative as it faces mounting pressure from both domestic and international fronts.