Cablegate: Niger: Radio and Tv Dounia Suspended for One

VZCZCXRO5501
RR RUEHLMC
DE RUEHNM #0809 2330529
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 200529Z AUG 08 ZDS
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4507
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0717
RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC 0001

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000809

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W DENNISON, AF/RSA HARPOLE AND AF/PDPA LISENBY
PARIS FOR AF WATCHER

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - ADDED MCC WASHDC AS INFO ADDR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KPAO NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: RADIO AND TV DOUNIA SUSPENDED FOR ONE
MONTH; RFI REPORTER MOUSSA KAKA'S APPEAL REJECTED

REF: A. NIAMEY 639
B. NIAMEY 737

1. High Council for Communication (CSC) Director Daouda
Diallo notified Radio and TV Dounia that its operation has
been suspended for one month. The official reason given for
RTV Dounia's suspension was "failure to meet the
specifications for which it is authorized." CSC is the
Government of Niger organization charged with regulation of
the media. (Note: RTV Dounia is the only television service
that has continued to broadcast statements from supporters of
former Prime Minister Hama Amadou (who remains in prison).
CSC issued a warning (Ref A) to RTV Dounia on June 26, 2008.
End note.)

2. On another press-related issue, Radio France
International (RFI) Moussa Kaka's appeal for provisional
release (REF B) was rejected today by the Court of Appeals.
He is now in his eleventh month in prison.
ALLEN

© Scoop Media