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Media & freedom of expression

Niger: Gaddafi attacks the free and independent press of Niger

2007-09-07, Issue 318

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/media/43229

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The West African Editors Forum (WAEF) has learnt that the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has filed a suit against three independent newspapers in Niger. The weeklies Le Canard Déchaîné and L’Evénement, as well as the bi-monthly Action, are being accused of “defamation” and “publication of false news that could undermine the honour of the leader”.

The West African Editors Forum (WAEF) has learnt that the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has filed a suit against three independent newspapers in Niger. The weeklies Le Canard Déchaîné and L’Evénement, as well as the bi-monthly Action, are being accused of “defamation” and “publication of false news that could undermine the honour of the leader”.

The hearing of Le Canard Déchaîné et L’ Action is set for 17 September and the one of L’Evénement is set for 28 September.

As a matter of fact, the Libyan leader is suing the three newspaper for having reported on sensitive issues linked to the activities of the “Mouvement des Nigériens pour la Justice” (MNJ) rebel group based in northern Niger, on the border to Libya. The three papers have in a series of articles reported on the attempts by Libya to push the State of Niger to no longer grant permits to seek for oil in the Manguéni tableland; that armed fighters of the MNJ have been trained in Libya; that a rebel uprising erupted the day after the Mouloud celebration that the Libyan leader organised in Agadez, which was also the case in Kidal in Mali last year; that Libya has expressed an interest in the Nigerian uranium for its future nuclear plants.

The Libyan leader is asking the tribunal to fine each of the newspapers 100 million CFA (150,000 Euro), which his lawyers claim would be donated to Niger’s National Hospital in Niamey.

“This case is a show orchestrated by Gaddafi to divert the attention of Nigerians away from national questions, but we will not let ourselves be distracted,” said Malla Cheffou Ligari, Publisher of Le Canard Déchaîné, to the Arab Press Network (APN).

The West African Editors Forum (WAEF) is convinced that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi does not understand the notion of media that are free to the point of having the courage to criticise his administration and what seems to be a weak hegemonic will in the region.

The West African Editors Forum calls on Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to drop the charges against the three newspapers. WAEF reaffirms its solidarity with the newspapers and the professional media organisations in Niger. Their struggle and aspirations are the ones of WAEF.

WAEF launches an appeal to all those committed to freedom of expression to mobilise to protest this attack on the free and independent press in Niger.

WAEF calls upon all its national sections and all members of the African Editors Forum (TAEF) to express their disapproval of these recent detentions through sending protests to the authorities in Niger and Libya (contact details below).

On behalf of the executive secretariat
Cheriff M. Sy
Charged with the media strategies and development.

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi
info@algathafi.org
The Embassy of Libya BP 683
Niamey Niger
Tél. : +227 20724019
Fax : +227 20732636

Saif El Islam Muammar Al Gaddafi
E-Mail : info@gaddaficharity.org <mailto:info@gaddaficharity.org>
Fax : 00218 - 21 - 3351373 / 00218 - 21 - 3331509

The Ministry of Communication of Niger:
Tél: + 227 72 28 21
Fax: + 227 73 36 85 / 72 23 36

Please send copies of your protests to sycheriff@gmail.com <mailto:sycheriff@gmail.com> , boubacardiallo@cararamail.com, diallosouleymane2001@yahoo.fr, abdousmane@cooperation.net <http://fr.f233.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=abdousmane@cooperation.net> , albchaib13@yahoo.fr

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