JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 21, 2024
Join our WhatsApp channel
NIAMEY—The President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) and Head of State of Niger, Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani (pictured), signed an ordinance reinstating prison sentences for offenses committed via electronic communication. This marks a reversal from previous legislation that had replaced imprisonment with fines for such offenses.
The new ordinance imposes both imprisonment and fines for crimes committed through electronic communication. For defamation or insults, offenders can face one to three years in prison and fines ranging from one to five million CFA francs. For the dissemination of disruptive data or data infringing on human dignity, the penalties range from two to five years in prison and fines between two and five million CFA francs.
The amendment, introduced by ordinance on June 7, 2024, aims to strengthen the fight against cybercrime in Niger by reintroducing prison sentences for defamation, insults, and the dissemination of data likely to disturb public order or infringe on human dignity when committed via electronic communication.
In 2022, law No. 2022-30 amended previous legislation, replacing prison sentences with fines for these offenses. Despite widespread opposition from Nigeriens, this amendment was adopted by the dissolved National Assembly. Since then, social media has seen a proliferation of defamatory, insulting, and disruptive comments, exacerbating public order disturbances and infringing on human dignity, according to the press release.
The new ordinance now mandates imprisonment of one to three years and fines of one to five million CFA francs for those convicted of defamation or insults via electronic communication. Additionally, it imposes prison terms of two to five years and fines of two to five million CFA francs for disseminating data likely to disturb public order or infringe on human dignity.
Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists said the Nigerien authorities must decriminalize defamation and ensure that the country’s cybercrime law does not unduly restrict the work of the media.
"The changes to Niger's cybercrime law are a blow to the media community and a very disappointing step backwards for freedom of expression," said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator, Muthoki Mumo, in Nairobi. "It is not too late to change course by reforming the law to ensure that it cannot be used to stifle journalism."
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 11, 2025 Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025 The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025 Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025 The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025 Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.