GON Shuts Down Private TV and Radio

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 000493 DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL/AE, AND AF/PDPA LISENBY PLA PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID WA PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI KCOR KPAO NG SUBJECT: GON Shuts Down Private TV and Radio Ref: a) Niamey 00484, b) Niamey 00492, c) 08 Niamey 00809 NIAMEY 00000493 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Summary: On June 29, the Government of Niger closed Radio and TV Dounia, private stations, for allegedly airing opposition incitements to security and military forces to disobey unlawful orders. Although the suspension order came earlier in the day, police appeared during the 8:00pm broadcast and abruptly ended the transmission. The suspension order, purportedly made by the High Council for Communication, arose from a vote by four of ten members to do so; the other six wrote a statement of objection. Subsequently, the GON arrested an opposition figure whose message to the armed forces pertains to the Dounia closure. End summary. Radio and TV Dounia Silenced by Communications Council -------------- -------------- ¶2. On June 29, the private TV and radio group Dounia received an order to suspend broadcasting indefinitely from the High Council for Communication (CSC),the Governmental media regulatory authority. CSC President Daouda Diallo signed the order over the objections of six of ten board members, who felt due process had not been followed. CSC suspension order number 0005 cites Dounia's broadcasting of a declaration from the leader of the opposition FDD (Front for the Defense of Democracy) appealing for the Nigerien security and military forces to ignore unlawful orders. Mahamadou Issoufou, leader of the FDD, made his statements on June 27 in response to President Tandja's decision to grant himself the authority to rule by decree (ref A),this followed the Constitutional Court's reaffirmation of its earlier decision that a referendum to amend the constitution to allow Tandja to extend his mandate would be illegal. ¶3. After receiving the suspension order from the CSC on the afternoon of June 29, Dounia began broadcasting a recurring written and oral announcement from the Director General of the Dounia Group, Habibou Garba, expressing surprise and indignation at what he termed a unilateral decision that damages freedom of the press in Niger. At 8:00 p.m. local time, Dounia broadcast the evening news as scheduled, leading with a repeat of the Director General's response condemning the suspension. They also showed a written declaration of dissent from six of the CSC board members. FUSAD's Amadou Arrested for Exhortation to Military -------------- -------------- ¶4. Midway through an interview with opposition leader Marou Amadou of FUSAD (United Front for the Safeguarding of Democratic Achievements - a coalition of civil society organizations opposed to the extension of President Tandja's presidency),at approximately 8:20 p.m., the police arrived at the station and broadcasting terminated. Following an interview with the Voice of America later that evening, police arrested Amadou on charges that he had plotted against the authorities of the state to destabilize national security, incited the insubordination of military and security forces, and sapped the morale of the troops for his statements made on Dounia (ref B). Dounia: A Repeat Offender -------------- ¶5. Dounia Group (with a broadcast range covering the major population centers in Niger) has run afoul of the GON before. Dounia Group was repeatedly warned and eventually suspended for a month in August last year for allegedly broadcasting statements inciting violence during coverage of the arrest on corruption charges of then Prime Minister Hama Amadou and subsequent demonstrations (ref C). Dounia Group has regularly covered opposition political demonstrations and anti-referendum rallies. Comment -------------- ¶6. Although the Constitution provides for the freedom of speech and press, the GON in practice routinely restricts these rights through media bans and the intimidation of journalists. The CSC, created by the National Assembly in May 2006, is ostensibly independent from government influence, but frequently bends with the political winds. The public dissenting opinion of six of the members of the CSC, a majority, and Dounia's defiance underscores deep concerns over President Tandja's actions among influential sectors in the media. His decision to close a major independent media group is yet further evidence of increasing willingness to do whatever is necessary to consolidate power. End Comment. NIAMEY 00000493 002.2 OF 002 ¶7. Minimize considered. ALLEN