Niger refutes censorship criticism

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Niger refutes censorship criticism 

Friday April 07, 2006 14:59 - (SA) 

NIAMEY - The Niger government has strongly refuted widespread criticism after blocking a BBC team from reporting on the country's food crisis. 

Government spokesman Mohamed Ben Omar said the administration had "nothing to hide," but that the BBC had been accredited to report on bird flu, not the food shortage. 

"We are a democratic state, the BBC team had received accreditation to report on bird flu in Magaria, but the team stopped midway at Maradi to make inquiries about the food crisis," he said. 

"We have nothing to hide, we can never ban the press from doing its work," he added, saying that "malnutrition is a disease like others" to have hit the region. 

The BBC team's report from the southeast region of Maradi found evidence of food shortages and malnutrition, and relayed an appeal from aid group Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) for financial help. 

But after it was broadcast, Niamey withdrew the team's authorisation, the BBC's journalist Orla Guerin said. 

The government spokesman said Prime Minister Hama Amadou would announce the country's grain balance soon, and "after that journalists would be allowed to report as they like." 

A number of non-governmental organisations and local unions criticised the government's response. 

"We think that it would be better for the government to remain calm and allow the entire world and the people of Niger to know about the (food) situation in their country," said Kassoum Issa, head of a coalition of unions and NGOs. 

Niamey's action was also condemned by numerous press freedom organisations including Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters without Borders) and the Committee to Protect Journalists. 

Some 3.2 million people were hit by severe food shortages in Niger in 2005, although the government was slow to admit there was a problem. 

At the end of 2005 Rural Development Minister Moussa Labo himself said nearly two million people would be affected by shortages in 2006, though Foguie insisted on Tuesday that "the food crisis is over." 
http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/sundaytimesNEW/basket6st/basket6st1144414792.aspx

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Niger refutes censorship criticism Posted: April 07 2006 at 7:25am
	Niger refutes censorship criticism Friday April 07, 2006 14:59 - (SA) NIAMEY - The Niger government has strongly refuted widespread criticism after blocking a BBC team from reporting on the country's food crisis. Government spokesman Mohamed Ben Omar said the administration had "nothing to hide," but that the BBC had been accredited to report on bird flu, not the food shortage. "We are a democratic state, the BBC team had received accreditation to report on bird flu in Magaria, but the team stopped midway at Maradi to make inquiries about the food crisis," he said. "We have nothing to hide, we can never ban the press from doing its work," he added, saying that "malnutrition is a disease like others" to have hit the region. The BBC team's report from the southeast region of Maradi found evidence of food shortages and malnutrition, and relayed an appeal from aid group Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) for financial help. But after it was broadcast, Niamey withdrew the team's authorisation, the BBC's journalist Orla Guerin said. The government spokesman said Prime Minister Hama Amadou would announce the country's grain balance soon, and "after that journalists would be allowed to report as they like." A number of non-governmental organisations and local unions criticised the government's response. "We think that it would be better for the government to remain calm and allow the entire world and the people of Niger to know about the (food) situation in their country," said Kassoum Issa, head of a coalition of unions and NGOs. Niamey's action was also condemned by numerous press freedom organisations including Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters without Borders) and the Committee to Protect Journalists. Some 3.2 million people were hit by severe food shortages in Niger in 2005, although the government was slow to admit there was a problem. At the end of 2005 Rural Development Minister Moussa Labo himself said nearly two million people would be affected by shortages in 2006, though Foguie insisted on Tuesday that "the food crisis is over." http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/sundaytimesNEW/basket6st/basket6st1144414792.aspx