NIAMEY (Reuters) - Niger's media watchdog has banned a national weekly newspaper for "inciting revolt" and defaming the government, the paper said on Saturday, reviving concerns about press freedom in the West African country.
L'Opinion is the first publication to be banned by Niger's CSC independent communications regulator, but the ruling comes after Niger in April said it would stop foreign reporters from covering alleged food shortages in the semi-desert country.
"Our crime, if there is one, it to denounce ... the current regime," said Zakari Alzouma, publisher of the paper.
"(If ... ) writing that the public finances have been plundered that injustice rules in the country, that the health sector is sick, if that is defamation and insulting the president then yes we wrote it, because the country is burying its head in the sand."
In its June 21 issue, the paper published an article that criticised the impoverished and drought-prone country's government and called for a democratic transition. Alzouma said he would ask the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling.
The CSC, which banned the publication for inciting revolt, slander and defamation, is an independent body, although Alzouma noted that President Mamadou Tandja was informed of its decision before the newspaper was told.
