Niger Suspends BBC Amidst Rising Violence and Accusations of False Reporting
Originally Published 1 year ago — by BBC.com
Niger's military government has suspended BBC broadcasts for three months, accusing the network of spreading fake news that could destabilize social peace and demoralize troops. This follows BBC reports on jihadist attacks in the Tillaberi region, which allegedly killed 91 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians. The junta claims these reports are baseless and aim to undermine troop morale. The suspension affects BBC radio programs but not its website or shortwave broadcasts. This move is part of a broader trend of media suspensions by military-led governments in West Africa, including Burkina Faso and Mali, amid ongoing jihadist insurgencies.