Several dozen African media organizations and executives launched an appeal on Friday to the military leaders who seized power in Niger at the end of July, calling for respect for press freedom in the country.
The initiative, launched by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has been signed by some 80 people, including many media executives from French-speaking Africa.
"We call on the junta to respect the right to information, pluralism, and media independence," says the text, which calls on the military regime in Niamey to "contribute to the safety of local and international
journalists" and "respect pluralism, diversity, and media independence."
They cite several incidents since the July 26 coup in which Nigerien and foreign journalists have been targeted in demonstrations or subjected to intimidation and threats.
"Several facts testify to the increase in attacks on press freedom since the coup," RSF said in a statement accompanying the appeal. Radio France
Internationale and France 24 have not been broadcast in Niger since August 3.
These two media outlets have already been suspended in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, where the Nigerien military leaders sent delegations on Wednesday.
Friday's appeal is also addressed to "other Sahel states ruled by the military." "We remind them of their duty to respect the rights of journalists, in particular their right to access information, in the interests of
the people of the Sahel," the text concludes.
RSF calls for respect for the right to information
