GON Shuts Down Private TV and Radio

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 000493

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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
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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