Niger: Decree targeting foreign media issued

The transitional government of Niger on June 3, 2010 issued a new media decree, that the country’s media and civil society groups say would restrict the flow of information and undermine the work of foreign media outlets and their journalists.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent reported  that the  decree signed  by  the  country’s  Minister of Communications, New Technologies and Culture, Madam Tacoubakoye Aminata,  requires  foreign journalists and media outlets  to seek clearance from her ministry, and pay a huge non refundable fee before visiting the country to undertake  films and documentaries.

Additionally, the decree also orders foreign media outlets to deposit original copies of their final works with the Communication Directorate of the Ministry.

Article 6 of the Decree said: “...anyone applying for authorization to film documentaries and reports must, before entering Niger, be in possession of a copy of the authorization signed by the Minister of Communication”, also  “henceforth, any foreign media outfit, production agency, associations or NGO’s that want to do documentaries or reports must pay for them”.

The correspondent said television stations or production agencies and radio stations would pay FCFA two million (approx. 3,704US$) and one million FCFA (approx. 1852 US$) respectively, while newspapers pay FCFA 500,000(approx. US$956) each. These fees do not exempt them from existing taxes, duties and levies.

“These new measures are a true obstruction of access to the right of public information in Niger. It is a setback for democracy…”, Boubacar Diallo, President of Nigerien Association of Private Newspaper Publishers said.

In another development, The National Communications Observatory (ONC), the organ responsible for media self regulation in Niger on June 14 authorized the reopening of privately-owned Sahara FM.  The station is based in Agadez, a town in the northern party of Niamey, the capital and was closed down on April 21, 2008 by the regime of President Mamadou Tandja. The closure followed an accusation of “disseminating information likely to incite hatred”.  The authorities claimed that Sahara FM  was undermining the morale of the country’s military during its fight against the Tuareg’s Mouvement des Nigériens pour la Justice (MNJ).

For further information please contact:

Kwame Karikari (Prof) Executive Director MFWA Accra Tel: 233-30-22 4 24 70 Fax: 233-302-22 10 84 Email: mfwa@africaonline.com.ghThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , alerts@mediafound.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.mediafound.org

- June 22, 2010 by Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

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Source: www.mediafound.org/index.php (accessed on 22.06.10)