The Nigerien government has announced its intention to file a lawsuit against Radio France Internationale (RFI) for allegedly inciting genocide and intercommunal massacres. Additionally, it has ordered the suspension of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) programs within the national territory for three months, effective immediately.
“After assessing the security situation in certain regions of the country, the Council of Ministers concluded that RFI, in stark opposition to efforts aimed at informing the public, is orchestrating a widespread disinformation campaign presented in a grossly shameful manner with genocidal implications,” stated the government in a communiqué aired on national television on Thursday.
According to the statement, the objective is to create division among communities by fostering animosity. “To advance its sinister agenda, stateless individuals are being exploited as instruments for destabilization operations,” the communiqué emphasized.
Concerning the BBC, whose programs are broadcast by local media outlets Anfani, R&M, and Saraounia, the Nigerien government accuses the organization of disseminating misleading information that threatens social stability and undermines troop morale.
On Wednesday, both media outlets reported a particularly deadly terrorist attack in the locality of Chatoumane in the Téra area (west), near Burkina Faso. However, the Nigerien government denied the occurrence of this attack later that evening, labeling the reports as “unfounded claims.”
