Cablegate: Rfi Broadcast Suspended in Niger

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RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0318 0740641
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R 140641Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
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UNCLAS NIAMEY 000318

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DEPT FOR AF/W DENNISON, AF/RSA HARPOLE AND AF/PDPA LISENBY

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI KCOR KPAO NG
SUBJECT: RFI broadcast suspended in Niger

REF: Niamey 196

1. On March 12, 2008 the Conseil Superior de la Communication (CSC),
Niger's media regulatory body, announced a decision suspending Radio
France International's (RFI) FM broadcast in Niger for 3 months.

2. The decision was reportedly based on the airing of a March 10
talk show in support of Moussa Kaka, the director of Radio
Saraounia, RFI's local affiliate. Kaka remains jailed on charges
of collaboration with MNJ rebels conducting an insurgency in
Northern Niger (reftel).

3. The CSC based its decision on claims that the broadcast
discredited GON institutions and that its hosts refused to allow
Nigerien callers (including the Vice President of the CSC, the GON
Spokesperson and the Foreign Minister) to participate in the debate.

ALLEN

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