On December 12, 2024, the government of Niger announced a three-month suspension of BBC broadcasts within the country, accusing the British broadcaster of disseminating ”false information” regarding an alleged jihadist attack that was reported to have killed over 90 soldiers and 40 civilians.
According to the Nigerien Ministry of Communication, the BBC’s reports were deemed to be aimed at destabilizing social calm and undermining the troops’ morale. The ministry’s statement highlighted that the BBC’s coverage was ”erroneous” and suggested it was part of a broader attempt to sow discord within Niger’s borders.
The decision follows a pattern in the Sahel region, where several countries have experienced clampdowns on Western media. Alongside Niger, neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali have also suspended foreign media outlets in recent times, particularly those that disseminate false narratives about the new African leadership that earlier thrown out the Western colonial-style controllers.
The media has always been a core part of European and American strategies for creating unrest and coups in Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
The BBC, which has been broadcasting in Niger through local radio partners, has not commented on the suspension. However, their programs, including those in Hausa, the most spoken language in Niger, have been immediately halted. The BBC’s website, however, remains accessible.
This move by Nigerien authorities comes amid heightened security concerns in the region, with jihadist groups, including those linked to Western-backed al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, intensifying their activities.
The military governments in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have primarily turned to Russia for security assistance after expelling French forces, marking a significant shift in regional alliances.
Sources
- TeleSUR: Niger: Authorities Suspends BBC for “Fake News”
- Voice of Nigeria: Niger suspends BBC over false news