Two journalists in Niger have been remanded in prison custody after being accused of plotting against state authority and undermining national defence, according to information provided by their employer. The pair were among three reporters who were arrested in early May in Agadez, a central city in northern Niger.
The journalists, all of whom work for Sahara FM, a privately owned radio station, reportedly came under scrutiny after broadcasting stories that suggested security agreements between Niger and Russia had been revoked. Russia has emerged as a key ally of the military junta that currently governs Niger following a coup in 2023.
On Friday, the owner of Sahara FM, media outlet Air Info, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that two of the journalists were transferred to Kollo prison, located about 50 kilometres south of the capital, Niamey. The third journalist, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, was granted provisional release by a military court judge.
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According to Air Info, the three journalists faced charges of “undermining national defence and plotting against state authority.” These serious allegations stem from their coverage of sensitive matters involving Niger’s foreign security relationships, which have become increasingly politically charged in the wake of the junta’s efforts to align more closely with countries such as Russia.
Since the military seized power in Niger in July 2023, the regime has been repeatedly criticised by international organisations for suppressing press freedom and targeting journalists who report on governance, security, and foreign policy issues. Human rights groups and press freedom advocates have voiced concern over what they describe as an escalating campaign of intimidation against independent media in the country.
The arrests have further fuelled concerns about the junta’s crackdown on dissent. Observers have noted a pattern of repression against journalists, civil society actors, and opposition voices, many of whom have faced arbitrary detention or legal harassment since the coup.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international watchdog for media rights, ranked Niger 83rd out of 180 countries in its 2025 Press Freedom Index. The ranking reflects a marked decline in press freedoms since the military takeover, with increased incidents of censorship, surveillance, and direct attacks on media personnel.
The case involving the Sahara FM journalists is one of the most prominent recent examples of the regime’s restrictive stance on media coverage. The arrest and imprisonment of journalists for reporting on diplomatic or defence matters has drawn condemnation from both local and international media advocacy groups.
In their broadcasts, the journalists reportedly referenced information indicating that the military junta may have ended certain aspects of its cooperation with Russia, a claim that appears to have triggered their detention. Given the junta’s increasing reliance on Russian support for security and diplomatic backing, such reports likely struck a nerve with Niger’s ruling authorities.
Legal analysts have questioned the basis of the charges, arguing that such accusations of plotting against the state for journalistic work set a dangerous precedent for press freedom and civil liberties in the country. They warn that these developments may further isolate Niger diplomatically and undermine its standing in international forums committed to democratic governance and rule of law.
The identities of the detained journalists have not been officially disclosed by the authorities. There has also been no formal statement from the Nigerien government addressing the specific nature of the charges or providing evidence of the alleged crimes. Efforts by press advocacy groups to obtain further details have so far yielded limited results.
Air Info, which owns Sahara FM, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of its staff. The company maintains that its journalists were merely performing their professional duties and that their reporting was based on publicly available information.
The arrests come amid broader regional concerns about deteriorating press conditions in West Africa, where military-led governments in countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have taken increasingly hardline positions against media outlets that challenge official narratives.
As of Saturday, no trial date has been announced for the two imprisoned journalists, and their legal status remains uncertain. Human rights groups have urged the international community to monitor the situation closely and to pressure Niger’s military leadership to respect the fundamental rights of journalists and uphold international standards for freedom of expression.
